Goan Carnival
Starting from the beautiful beaches to cuisines, number of tourist attractions and luxurious and comfortable accommodations, all form major highlights of Goa. All these attract tourists not only from India but also from the different corners of the world. In addition to all these, carnival of Goa is an equal crowd puller of the state. Goan carnival is the meeting place of variety of people. The state of Goa comes to life during this colorful carnival.
Goan Carnival is a three day event which is held in the month of February. The whole state of Goa is changed into a different world during these three days, the preparation for this grand event starts months before, mainly during December. Songs, street plays, dances, feasting, parades and merry making are an integral part of the carnival.
This most awaited event of the Goan calendar is enjoyed by people from all over India and all over the world. Though it is essentially a Christian event, it is taken part by people belonging to different castes and creeds. Over the years, this three day carnival has become a cultural highlight of Goa.
Goa carnival is the only carnival that takes place in India. Though its prominence was decreasing during the last years of rule of the Portuguese, the tourism boost as well as the Liberation of Goa revival gave a lease of life to the carnival.
Goan Carnival – History
Introduced by the Portuguese people, when Goa was a Portuguese colony, the history of the carnival trails back to 500 years. The carnival takes place before the Easter Sunday. The term Carnival can be described as a holiday which is meant for fun as well as taking a break from the everyday chores of life. In the earlier days, throwing eggs, water, flour and fruit was an essential part of the carnival.
Goan Carnival – The Beginning
The carnival begins with a brilliant exhibition of colorful floats. During the onset of this lively festival, a person is chosen as a ‘King Momo’ or ‘The King of Chaos’ who usually leads the grand parade that mainly displays various dance troupes as well as colorful floats.
Goan Carnival – Events
This awesome spectacle which is a kind of visual treat encompasses numerous activities. Dancing, masked revelers and beautifully decorated floats are the major highlights of the event. While the mornings of the festival is mainly dominated by feasting, singing, street plays, in the evenings of the carnivals, dancing, balls and lot more become the major parts. One of the most significant parts of the carnival is ceremony of prize distribution, it is during this time the best float is given an award. The person who is chosen as ‘King Momo’ makes the distribution of the prizes and awards. The previous custom of throwing flour, fruit, water and eggs has been replaced by smearing different color on one another.
Masked revelers who usually dress themselves in ornate costumes are found everywhere during this festival. They generally engage themselves in singing as well dancing. During the ongoing of the festival, people taking part do not eat meat. The best of the parades take place in the capital city of Panaji.
Goan Carnival – Conclusion
The grand Goan Carnival concludes with renowned Red-and-Black dance that is held in Panaji, the capital of Goa, by Clube Nacional.
Goan Carnival is a three day event which is held in the month of February. The whole state of Goa is changed into a different world during these three days, the preparation for this grand event starts months before, mainly during December. Songs, street plays, dances, feasting, parades and merry making are an integral part of the carnival.
This most awaited event of the Goan calendar is enjoyed by people from all over India and all over the world. Though it is essentially a Christian event, it is taken part by people belonging to different castes and creeds. Over the years, this three day carnival has become a cultural highlight of Goa.
Goa carnival is the only carnival that takes place in India. Though its prominence was decreasing during the last years of rule of the Portuguese, the tourism boost as well as the Liberation of Goa revival gave a lease of life to the carnival.
Goan Carnival – History
Introduced by the Portuguese people, when Goa was a Portuguese colony, the history of the carnival trails back to 500 years. The carnival takes place before the Easter Sunday. The term Carnival can be described as a holiday which is meant for fun as well as taking a break from the everyday chores of life. In the earlier days, throwing eggs, water, flour and fruit was an essential part of the carnival.
Goan Carnival – The Beginning
The carnival begins with a brilliant exhibition of colorful floats. During the onset of this lively festival, a person is chosen as a ‘King Momo’ or ‘The King of Chaos’ who usually leads the grand parade that mainly displays various dance troupes as well as colorful floats.
Goan Carnival – Events
This awesome spectacle which is a kind of visual treat encompasses numerous activities. Dancing, masked revelers and beautifully decorated floats are the major highlights of the event. While the mornings of the festival is mainly dominated by feasting, singing, street plays, in the evenings of the carnivals, dancing, balls and lot more become the major parts. One of the most significant parts of the carnival is ceremony of prize distribution, it is during this time the best float is given an award. The person who is chosen as ‘King Momo’ makes the distribution of the prizes and awards. The previous custom of throwing flour, fruit, water and eggs has been replaced by smearing different color on one another.
Masked revelers who usually dress themselves in ornate costumes are found everywhere during this festival. They generally engage themselves in singing as well dancing. During the ongoing of the festival, people taking part do not eat meat. The best of the parades take place in the capital city of Panaji.
Goan Carnival – Conclusion
The grand Goan Carnival concludes with renowned Red-and-Black dance that is held in Panaji, the capital of Goa, by Clube Nacional.