Goa carnival is popular all over India and abroad too. There is an influx of tourists from all over India and around the world. The focal point of celebrations is in Panjim, the buzzing capital of Goa, where the maximum number of street performances, floats and a five-day food and cultural festival will be hosted....
The world over, like in Brazil,
Canada, Italy and the US, these countries host carnival, the annual street
party with creative floats, costumes, singing, dancing and it’s the time to
freak out. It’s fun and party time for the locals.
In India, the most popular
carnivals are hosted in Goa, Cochin and Manali winter carnival. This year the
Goa carnival will begin on February 28 and go on till March 4 across the fun-loving
state. The Goa carnival is normally celebrated before Lent, the 40-day period
of fasting, prayer and abstinence before Easter.
Goa carnival is popular all
over India and abroad too. There is an influx of tourists from all over India
and around the world. The focal point of celebrations is in Panjim, the buzzing
capital of Goa, where the maximum number of street performances, floats and a
five-day food and cultural festival will be hosted.
The floats draw in the
crowds. They depict Goan art, culture, tradition, folk dances, Goan tiatrs
(plays) and folk songs known as mandos. However, over the years, it has
undergone a major transformation. The float designs have improved and the fun
and frolic has gotten more colourful and innovative. The floats are conceptualized
and created by the locals, especially youngsters with the help of oldies from
various villages of Goa. Now it has become a bit commercialized with even the corporate
and private sector participating in this mega event. Top Indian bands come here
to showcase their music and are scheduled to perform this year too.
The whole atmosphere is
charged with friendly competition and fun. The focal point and the major
attraction is the King Momo, a pot-bellied man, who is accompanied by enchanting
dancers in colourful and fancy costumes, and sits atop a float as the King of
the Carnival. He is selected by the committee from the huge number of requests
it receives for this big event. A theme dance, The Samba Square is also planned
in Panjim. This year’s carnival is being touted to be the biggest held so far.
In India, different states
have celebrated and also hosted one-off carnivals in recent years to showcase
the place, attract tourists and boost tourism in their regions. These include
the Chandigarh Carnival held in Nov 2013 and the Sikkim Winter Carnival in Dec
2013.
Cochin Carnival in Kerala is
held in December. The carnival has been in existence for thirty years and is
celebrated in the last week of December.
It is part of the Potuguese legacy
that the coastal port city shares with Goa. Portuguese, Dutch and Indian dance
forms are the major attractions in the fun and celebrations. The procession is
led by a decorated elephant on New Year’ Day is the highlight of the carnival.
Manali Winter Carnival in
Himachal Pradesh is held in January. It has been held since 1977. Skiing
championships, food festivals, craft bazaars, local music and band
competitions, folk dances, street plays and adventure sports are its
highlights. This year’s five day winter carnival started on January 2. The
Winter Queen Pageant is a popular event.
And around the globe,
carnivals are held, like the Rio Carnival in Brazil in February, Trinidad &
Tobago Carnival in West Indies in March, Mardi Gras in New Orleans, USA in
January-March, Quebec Winter Carnival in Canada in January-February and Venice
Carnival in Italy during February-March.
From Goa to Brazil to West
Indies to US to Europe, carnival season invites all to enjoy the local flavor and
participate in the fun and frolic. Take to the streets, freak out and have great
fun!
Carnivals act as a catalyst for tourism and boosting the image of the region, promoting the arts, craft, culture, traditions and food.
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Picture Post:
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Gaganachukki Falls in Mandya, Karnataka, Indiia |
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