Introduction

When comes the month of February, Goa slips in the mood of festivity. The month heralds the Goa Carnivals; one of the eagerly awaited festivals of the state. The week long event is full of boisterous processions, dance, music, festivity, madness and merry making. Goa carnival is an integral part of the state and is exclusive to it as the festival is not celebrated in any other part of the country. The word “Carnival” means ‘to take away meat’ implying eating of meat before 40-day period of fasting of Lent, during the period abstinence from meat is followed strictly.

Origin

The festival of Carnival was introduced by the Portuguese under whose control Goa was until 1961. The carnival symbolizes the fun loving culture of the state that is characteristic to it only. The celebration included aiming eggs, fruits, mud, and dirty water on the passerby. This was done to discard the old and dirty from the home before the start of Lenten fast. It was the occasion for fasting, party, cake distribution, dance and music.

Celebration

At the start of the festival the King of Chaos called King "Momo" is elected who presides over the whole three day ceremony. Although Goa carnival is predominately a Christian Festival but it is celebrated and enjoyed by each and every citizen of the state as well as the tourists visiting the local places. The carnival is meant for unbridled feasting-drinking-merrymaking orgy just before the start of ascetic 40 days of Lent. A Huge parade is organized throughout the state with bands, dances and floats throughout the night on the streets for three days. Besides, some grand balls are arranged in the evenings. The Goa Carnival ends with the famous red-and-black dance on the final day organized by the Club National in Panaji which is the capital city of Goa.