Defined by joy, gaiety and celebration, the carnival in Goa is a time when the whole of Goa springs to life. An eagerly awaited event for locals and tourists alike, the carnival in Goa is one of the most popular and loved festivals of India. This three day long extravaganza held before the Lent season is a time to celebrate, feast and be merry. If we try to trace the history of this grand festival, we will see that the Portuguese rulers of Goa used to celebrate this festival. But it was the legendary King Momo who made the carnival an integral part of Goa since the 18th century. Originally celebrated as a Christian festival, the carnival in Goa has now crossed all religious and cultural divides and is celebrated with equal fervor by one and all. So no matter who or what you are, the carnival in Goa is ready to take you in its fold and sweep you away with its gaiety and color.
Every year the people elect a person to preside over the Goa carnival as King Momo, who flags off this three-day long celebration. Since the carnival in Goa is held just before the arrival of the austere and abstinence-seeking Lent period, it is not surprising that feasting, dancing and partying becomes the order of the day. Station yourself by the streets and watch the gaily decorated floats accompanied by gaudily dressed people making rounds of the town and entertaining people with their antics. You can also witness a number of contests during the carnival, at the end of which the prizes are given away by King Momo himself.
You see carnivals being celebrated all over the world in a more lavish manner. But the carnival in Goa is something really special because you do not witness a religious celebration but a festival that encompasses everything and everyone under its fold. In fact the carnival in Goa is a grand celebration of life and everything it stands for. It is a time to let go of your worldly cares and join a celebration of humanity that knows no divide, a party to which everyone is invited. |
