Viva Carnaval 2019! Viva Goa Carnival from Sat 2 to Tue 5 March
Viva Carnival! Viva Goa Carnival from Sat 2 to Tue 5 March. Team Mangalorean will be in Panjim (Sat 2) and Margao (Sun 3) for exclusive coverage of the Traditional Goan celebrations.
Mangaluru: It is Goa’s most famous festival and has been celebrated since the 18th century. Meant to be a feasting-drinking-merrymaking orgy just before the 40 days of Lent; a time of abstinence and spirituality. Huge parades through the cities are organised with bands, floats and dances and balls in the evenings. The final day concludes with the famous Red-and-Black dance held by the Clube Nacional in Panjim-Goa.
There is no doubt that Goa is one of the most popular and favourite destinations for so many people. Ever wondered why? It is because, in Goa, a stay never stops being fun. The holiday season is not only the time when the state is all festive and decked up, just when you think it’s time to let all the December fun take a breather, Goa Carnival shows up with a bang! For those who don’t know, Goa Carnival is a celebration before Fat Tuesday or the Mardi Gras, the last day of feasting before the lean 40 days of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. The Goa Carnival is a celebration of the vibrant culture and cuisine of Goa. this year, the Carnival is from Saturday, March 2 to Tuesday, March 5.
The origins of carnival are apparently the hedonistic feasts of ancient Rome and Greece. It made its appearance in the Spanish and Portuguese colonies, where it metamorphosed into the very Latin singing-dancing-drinking bouts. The carnival is presided over by King Momo, who on the opening day orders his subjects to party. The festival attracts thousands of tourists. The exciting and fun-filled four-day non-stop extravaganza of fun, frolic, song, music and dance that is uniquely Goan is a Pagan festival popular in Latin American countries that were colonies of Portugal at some point in time. The Carnival is uniquely Goan and is not celebrated anywhere else in India. It is a typical Latin, song, music and dance and precedes the “Lent”. The highlight of the exotic frenzy of merriment is the appointment and arrival of “KING MOMO” and his retinue to the capital city Panaji on “Fat Saturday”, the eve of Carnival.
And for the first time ever, Goa’s most popular and loved festival will be made accessible to all. In Panjim, the festival venue will have elevated platforms with ramps especially for the wheelchair users. Not just that, there will also be an accessible float with differently-abled people and mobility-restricted elderly in cool and innovative costumes. Goa Carnival 2019 is going to be that one big party you will gladly remember the rest of the year. Goa gets all lit during the carnival, streets are filled with tourists and locals alike, a lot of merrymaking, good food and drinks are at your disposal.
But one of the most striking feature of the Goa Carnival is the grand parade. In many places in Goa, one will find these colourful and parades that are often accompanied by great music and cultural shows. Don’t be alarmed to find massive floating balloon animals, giant bobble-heads, dance troops performing Konkani dance here and twirling batons there. It can get crazy in Goa during the Carnival, so you better go well-prepared and always book your stay in advance. So, plan your weekend and be in Goa to experience the uniqueness the state has to offer to all its visitors. Team Mangalorean will be in Goa to cover the Panjim and Margao carnival celebrations on 2 and 3 March respectively! Viva Carnival! Viva Goa!