Goa Carnival
PARADE IN A MASQUERADE
Come, celebrate the culture and cuisine of Goa on a grand scale every year with the Carnival! Originating from the tradition of Mardi Gras, it is a season of indulgent feasts, dancing on the streets, jazzy parades with floats, flowers, feathers, masquerade, music, revelry, and drinking bouts. The Goa Carnival is a 4-day non-stop extravaganza that is observed all throughout the state with great enthusiasm and zeal.
This unique festival has been celebrated since the 18th century, after it was introduced by the erstwhile Portuguese rulers of Goa. A king Momo, appointed specifically for the festival, rules the float parade in Panaji. This carnival, which precedes Lent by three days of singing, dancing, feasting, and fun, takes place in February. On “Fat Saturday,” the eve of the carnival, the king and his entourage arrive and lead an energetic procession of colourful floats and groups of revellers wearing eye-catching costumes and masks while singing and dancing in the streets. Although the festival is primarily celebrated by Christians, people of all faiths join in the festivities.
Places to witness the festival:
- Panjim
- Margao
- Vasco Da Gama
- Mapusa
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AdventuresReligious Centers