The Magnificent Goa Carnival

Carnivals have been a high-pitched celebration of a coastal susegad life. These vibrant, colourful events occur in their traditional way around the world, but truly iconic ones happen only in – Goa and Brazil. The Goa Carnival is a legacy that has been passed by the Portuguese ancestors. The Carnival is unique to Goa and is being celebrated ever since the Portuguese introduced it in the 18th-century. This “Carnaval” as the Portuguese called it, is nothing but four-days of merriment making that include eating, dancing and having a blast.

Although the Goa Carnival is comparatively smaller in scale, however, it is one of the largest Carnivals celebrated in India and a single one in Asia. This historic and electrifying festival takes place within the beautiful cities across Goa, where the true Goan spirit comes alive. Celebrated every year with a lot of zeal, the Carnival gets the highest visitors from around the world, to bask in the glory of this four-day-long festival.

A glimpse into the milieu of the Carnival

The Goa Carnival marks the festivities before the month of ‘Lent’, which means – ‘fasting or self-denial from meat’. It culminates into Easter and is significant for the Christians.

The Procession of Festival

The Carnival begins in the evening with a huge parade led by King Momo and the performing dancers and musicians. The participants adorn colourful costumes and enact characters of fortune-tellers, vendors, women, and older men. The procession follows down the main streets of Panaji, Mapusa, Margao, and Vasco.

For those who have a passion for performances and dancing and don’t shy away from the crowds, get the opportunity to dress up in the most beautiful red and black outfits. Wearing masks, they dance the night away along with with various musicians and performing artist. These performances are an integral part of the grand colourful procession that happens in Panjim, all the way down to the Miramar Road. King Momo’s crowning ceremony and the Red and Black Ball are the main attractions at the Goa carnival festival. The festivity is marked with drinking, dancing, and lots of music till late into the night before the dawn of ‘Ash Wednesday’, which commences the ‘Lent’.

The Speciality of Goa Carnival

The one-act folk plays called the ‘Khell’ or ‘Fell’ are a definitive focus of this grand Carnival. During the Carnival held in Chandor, performing actors walk around the village singing Intruzachim Geetam or Fella-Gitam accompanied by musical instruments. The sound of Drums, Violins, Ghumats – a Goan percussion instrument – and cymbals fill the air with music and melody. These performances are a must-see, quite amusing, and an experience to remember. The Fell, with its acerbic and sardonic censure, meant to correct human foolishness. Then there is the Dholak – the person who directs the one-act who narrates the story, while the whistle of the producer (mestri) serves as the curtain-raiser. The tourist gets an added benefit as few hotels organise special celebrations for their guests during the Goa carnival. Since the Carnival happens during the peak season, hence visitors planning their visit need to book tickets and hotels much in advance as most of the places are sold-out.

Au revoir

The preparations for the Carnival begin from December. A week before the Carnival, few boys and girls dressed up in masks call upon their friends while playing on the banter. This activity is known as ‘Assoltes’ where the guests are entertained with drinks and snacks to set the mood. The festivities are marked by drinking, dancing and music that carry on till dawn.

Witness the colourful and beautifully decorated floats during the parade, and add to the cheer. As per tradition, bistros and other cafeterias prepare their finest fish and meat dishes. Guests have the option to participate in various competitions that are organised, or just have a good time gorging on authentic Goan cuisine, especially seafood, and drinking Feni. The fashion shows, DJ Nights, short plays, add to the galore of the entire festivity.

The four-day of joyful, exuberant celebration amidst the music and fun-loving people of Goa reaches its climax during the four-day Goa Carnival celebrations. It is an annual event that the entire Goa and beyond look forward to and prepare for the whole year. So as we approach the winter season, the preparation will soon commence for this grandeur of an affair. If you haven’t experienced it yet, don’t miss it this time.