Christmas Carnival

Celebrations that are triggered off from the Christmas Carnival peak in February, which is carnival time in Goa. Even though Goa is a popular destination the year round, the benign temperatures and the sunny beaches are more endearing in this particular part of the year.

Carnival time is party time and the Goa Carnival is the biggest and merriest party of the winter season. Goa is a small state and almost all its folk are out in the open to celebrate the carnival. It is a three-day fest full of color and gaiety. Folks in Goa are into the preparations from weeks ahead and keenly await this marvelous carnival of fun and frolic.

Goa has a predominantly Christian Populace. The history of the Goa Carnival is rather interesting. The Goa Carnival's roots are traced to the era of King Momo. The king is said to have started this carnival to mark the beginning of lent, which is a rather somber and religious affair that entails fasting for a long period of 40 days. It would seem to convey that fast and feast as much as you can and brace yourself for a dedicated period of lent. The Goa Carnival usually starts off on Sabado Gordo (Fat Saturday) and concludes on Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday) on the eve of Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of the season of Lent. This is one festival that has come to be identified with Goa and Goan Culture.

Colorful processions and lavish floats in the parade on the streets of Goa, India is the hallmark of this festival of Goa. The mask has also gained iconic status in this festival of Goa. The Goa carnival is the display ground for the most innovative and decorative masks in India. Song and dance that is a part of the life of the spirited people of Goa comes out at its best in the Goa Carnival. The Goa Carnival showcases Goa in all its aspects. Latest and new trends find place of pride in the floats that are on display as they move along the streets.

The Goa Carnival is not only about song and dance, but also of well-crafted short plays that are enacted during the Carnival. Of course a lot of thought and preparation goes into these plays that are many times based on historical facts. These plays are locally composed and are therefore full of dance, songs and music. The costumes are of course outlandish and so are the opulent headgears.

People the world over plan their visit to Goa, India just to witness this festival of Goa. Come breathe in this festive air and become a part of this great celebration of life! Witness the Goa Carnival and be a part of history! Mingle among the gregarious crowd and feel your pulse dance with joy and wash your tensions away!

Goa Carnival

Along with its beaches, Goa is equally famous for its carnival. Carnival of Goa is so popular that it is the most eagerly awaited event both by the locals as well as the tourists. Carnival is derived from the Portuguese word 'Carnaval', which means 'to take away meat'. It is a the commencement of the period of 40 days of fasting of Lent. During this period abstinence from meat is mandatory.

Introduced by the Portuguese in the 18th century, Carnival in Goa is a three-day festival and is celebrated mainly by the Christians. It has, in the course of time, absorbed some of the Hindu traditions and has crossed the boundaries of the state or religion. People from all over the country visit Goa especially during this period to participate in the carnival.

The carnival is held in the month of February. The carnival in Goa normally begins on Sabado Gordo, i.e., Fat Saturday and concludes on Shrove Tuesday, i.e., Fat Tuesday. Continuously for three days and nights, Momo, the legendary king takes over the state. The streets become live and vibrant with dance and music and looks riotous in various color. Carnival in Goa is the time for feast, drinks and celebration before the beginning of the 40 days of Lent. Huge promenades are organized throughout the state with live performances of bands and dances all night long on the streets of Goa. Grand balls are held in the evenings. The carnival in Goa ends with the famous Red-and-Black Dance held by the Clube National in Panjim on the closing day.

The people of Goa begin preparations for the carnival from late December only. They compose and rehearse short plays consisting of song, music and dance to be enacted during the carnival. The plays are generally related to history and are enacted only by men. They perform the roles of women as well and are dressed in bright colorful costumes and headgears.

The carnival is not celebrated anywhere else in India. It had come to decline even in Goa in the last few years of Portuguese rule. The carnival of Goa was revived after the Liberation to attract more tourism.

Goa Carnival

Along with its beaches, Goa is equally famous for its carnival. Carnival of Goa is so popular that it is the most eagerly awaited event both by the locals as well as the tourists. Carnival is derived from the Portuguese word 'Carnaval', which means 'to take away meat'. It is a the commencement of the period of 40 days of fasting of Lent. During this period abstinence from meat is mandatory.

Introduced by the Portuguese in the 18th century, Carnival in Goa is a three-day festival and is celebrated mainly by the Christians. It has, in the course of time, absorbed some of the Hindu traditions and has crossed the boundaries of the state or religion. People from all over the country visit Goa especially during this period to participate in the carnival.

The carnival is held in the month of February. The carnival in Goa normally begins on Sabado Gordo, i.e., Fat Saturday and concludes on Shrove Tuesday, i.e., Fat Tuesday. Continuously for three days and nights, Momo, the legendary king takes over the state. The streets become live and vibrant with dance and music and looks riotous in various color. Carnival in Goa is the time for feast, drinks and celebration before the beginning of the 40 days of Lent. Huge promenades are organized throughout the state with live performances of bands and dances all night long on the streets of Goa. Grand balls are held in the evenings. The carnival in Goa ends with the famous Red-and-Black Dance held by the Clube National in Panjim on the closing day.

The people of Goa begin preparations for the carnival from late December only. They compose and rehearse short plays consisting of song, music and dance to be enacted during the carnival. The plays are generally related to history and are enacted only by men. They perform the roles of women as well and are dressed in bright colorful costumes and headgears.

The carnival is not celebrated anywhere else in India. It had come to decline even in Goa in the last few years of Portuguese rule. The carnival of Goa was revived after the Liberation to attract in tourism.

Christmas Carnival

Celebrations that are triggered off from the Christmas season peak in February, which is carnival time in Goa. Even though Goa is a popular destination the year round, the benign temperatures and the sunny beaches are more endearing in this particular part of the year.

Carnival time is party time and the Goa Carnival is the biggest and merriest party of the winter season. Goa is a small state and almost all its folk are out in the open to celebrate the carnival. It is a three-day fest full of color and gaiety. Folks in Goa are into the preparations from weeks ahead and keenly await this marvelous carnival of fun and frolic.

Goa has a predominantly Christian Populace. The history of the Goa Carnival is rather interesting. The Goa Carnival roots are traced to the era of King Momo. The king is said to have started this carnival to mark the beginning of lent, which is a rather somber and religious affair that entails fasting for a long period of 40 days. It would seem to convey that fast and feast as much as you can and brace yourself for a dedicated period of lent. The Goa Carnival usually starts off on Sabado Gordo (Fat Saturday) and concludes on Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday) on the eve of Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of the season of Lent. This is one festival that has come to be identified with Goa and Goan Culture.

Colorful processions and lavish floats in the parade on the streets of Goa, India is the hallmark of this festival of Goa. The mask has also gained iconic status in this festival of Goa. The Goa carnival is the display ground for the most innovative and decorative masks in India. Song and dance that is a part of the life of the spirited people of Goa comes out at its best in the Goa Carnival. The Goa Carnival showcases Goa in all its aspects. Latest and new trends find place of pride in the floats that are on display as they move along the streets.

The Goa Carnival is not only about song and dance, but also of well-crafted short plays that are enacted during the Carnival. Of course a lot of thought and preparation goes into these plays that are many times based on historical facts. These plays are locally composed and are therefore full of dance, songs and music. The costumes are of course outlandish and so are the opulent headgears.

People the world over plan their visit to Goa, India just to witness this festival of Goa. Come breathe in this festive air and become a part of this great celebration of life! Witness the Goa Carnival and be a part of history! Mingle among the gregarious crowd and feel your pulse dance with joy and wash your tensions away!

Goa Carnival

Along with its beaches in goa, Goa is equally famous for its carnival. Carnival of Goa is so popular that it is the most eagerly awaited event both by the locals as well as the tourists. Carnival is derived from the Portuguese word 'Carnaval', which means 'to take away meat'. It is a the commencement of the period of 40 days of fasting of Lent. During this period abstinence from meat is mandatory.

Introduced by the Portuguese in the 18th century, Carnival in Goa is a three-day festival and is celebrated mainly by the Christians. It has, in the course of time, absorbed some of the Hindu traditions and has crossed the boundaries of the state or religion. People from all over the country visit Goa especially during this period to participate in the carnival.

The carnival is held in the month of February. The carnival in Goa normally begins on Sabado Gordo, i.e., Fat Saturday and concludes on Shrove Tuesday, i.e., Fat Tuesday. Continuously for three days and nights, Momo, the legendary king takes over the state. The streets become live and vibrant with dance and music and looks riotous in various color. Carnival in Goa is the time for feast, drinks and celebration before the beginning of the 40 days of Lent. Huge promenades are organized throughout the state with live performances of bands and dances all night long on the streets of Goa. Grand balls are held in the evenings. The carnival in Goa ends with the famous Red-and-Black Dance held by the Clube National in Panjim on the closing day.

The people of Goa begin preparations for the carnival from late December only. They compose and rehearse short plays consisting of song, music and dance to be enacted during the carnival. The plays are generally related to history and are enacted only by men. They perform the roles of women as well and are dressed in bright colorful costumes and headgears.

The carnival is not celebrated anywhere else in India. It had come to decline even in Goa in the last few years of Portuguese rule. The carnival of Goa was revived after the Liberation to attract more tourism.