Goa Carnival

Come to Goa once and you'll surely want to return to this place again and again. As there is so much to see, feel and enjoy here. It is one such place where the excitement never ends. Apart from its exotic beaches, the main draw of the state is Goa Carnival. Every year in the month of February, the festival draws thousand of tourists to this beautiful state. Goa Carnival Tour is so popular that it is most eagerly waited by the locals as well as the tourists. Introduced by the Portuguese in 18th century, the word Carnival has been derived from the Latin word "Carnavale" which means to throw away meat. For the continuous three day people pay tribute to the legendary - King Momo. The festival marks the commencement of the period of 40 days of fasting of Lent.

Goa Carnival is the most funkiest festival in India. It is basically a three day festival and is celebrated mainly by the Christians. But as the tourism in the state grows up, it has now crossed the boundaries of the state or religion. People from far away places visit this place especially to participate in the carnival celebrations. It begins on the Sabado Gordo -i.e. Fat Saturday and concludes on Shrove Tuesday, i.e., Fat Tuesday.

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Carnival Celebrations

Preparations for the festivals starts well in advance. Young boys and girls design their costumes for the occasion. They rehearse for the short plays composed of dance, music and songs altogether, that are to be played during the Carnival. The entire state glitters with lights, colorful ribbons and shimmering papers. The streets are vibrant with the colorful possession that pass through the length and breadth of the state entertaining the tourists. Another major highlights of the carnival are the live bands that perform on the rocking trace music.

Along with the cultural shows , various competitions also form the major part of the carnival. The competitors wear the colorful costumes and masks to hide their identity in fun. They are judged by the team of selected people and the King Momo distributes the prize to the winners. People smear color on each other and present the fire work to boost up the contestants. The roads are blocked and the police hold back the enthusiast crowd.

The parade is the portrayal of historic and cultural Goa as folk dancers depict scenes that are generally related to the history of Goa. The Carnival comes to an end with the popular Red and Black Dance held by the Clube Panjim on the closing day.

Delightful Goa cuisine

You will find everything in Goa Carnival, from exciting padres to the exotic Goa cuisine. There are hundred of stalls selling the exotic Goan delicacies. Try out the famous shakuti, a curry made of either chicken, lamb or turtle. Other specialists include vindaloo and saurpatel, both made with pork, mutton and liver. But please ask them to go easy with chillies. How can some one leave the place without taking the pleasure of potent feni, the popular liquor drink in cashew and palm variants supplemented with the plum puddings.

 

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