It’s Carnival Time - Goa Carnival

The Goa Carnival is one of the most colorful and popular festivals that attract a lot of tourist form all over the world year after year. The non-stop three-day festival of color, song and music provides a healthy entertainment to all-alike whether be young or old. You can enjoy being a audience or join the fun and frolic. You just cannot but enjoy, as there is so much enthusiasm and happiness around. It is celebrated before the lent i.e. 40 days of fasting before Easter.The Goa Carnival festival is one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year. Though essentially a Christian festival, all people of Goa, irrespective of their faith and religion take part in this festival. There is lots of version of the meaning of carnival. The word carnival is supposed to be derived from Latin ‘Carne’ meaning flesh and ‘vale’ meaning goodbye.

Another version links it to the ‘carnislevamen’ or ‘pleasure of the meat’ focusing on the enjoyment of meat before refraining from it during the lent. The Goa Carnival is an integral part of the Portuguese heritage of the state. It also stands for the fun loving culture of the Goans. The Portuguese introduced it when they established their colony in India. Since then it has become a regular feature every year and all Goans take active participation in the carnival. It is a feasting and merrymaking time.

Goa comes alive and the entire state becomes colorful decorated with streamers and colorful ribbons and papers. On the opening day starts with Momo, the king of Chaos ordering his subjects to indulge in merry making.  The daytime is dominated by singing, feasting and organizing street plays, while dancing and balls on the streets dominate the evenings. There is an increasing popularity of the Goa Carnival as more and more tourists visit Goa every year.