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It’s that time of the year when the most colorful festival in Goa, the Carnival is celebrated. The Goa carnival like the ones celebrated in South America is an aesthetics blend of color, song and music. The mood of the entire tropical getaway during this time of the year is that of fun, frolic and enthusiasm. Everyone, from tourists to the localities is in the highest of festive spirits during the carnival and celebrates it with complete furore.
The word Carnival comes from the two latin words Carni and Vale which mean Meat and Goodbye respectively. Thus this festival is aptly celebrated prior to the onset of lent which is the forty days of fasting and abstinence for Christians. Originally a Christian festival t has now transformed into an event which everyone irrespective of their faith and religion come to be a part of.
The origin of this festival in Goa was a result of the rule of its former Portuguese rulers. The origins and nature of the carnival can be traced to the rowdy feasts of ancient Rome and Greece. These carnivals started in the Spanish and Portuguese colonies, and gradually became known for their singing, dancing and drinking. When the Portuguese established their colony in Goa they introduced this festival here. Since then the Goans have blended it into their vibrant culture and made it an integral part of it and celebrate it with zest and zeal year after year. The celebration goes on for three days and a king of chaos, King Momo is elected to preside over the festivities and inaugurates the festival by ordering all his subjects to party.
During the Carnival people from all over India and the world flock the shores of Goa to be a part of this extravagant happening. It is one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year. The three day extravaganza includes performances of several street plays, songs and dances which make the streets of Goa come alive with loads of Fun and Frolic. Huge parades comprising of colorful floats, bands and dances are organized throughout the state of Goa. At night there are several hotels which host various balls and dance events to keep up the spirit of complete enjoyment and merrymaking which is the soul of this event.
The carnival ends with the traditional Red and black dance where the couples have to come dressed in red and black attires for the ball.
To sum it up the Goa carnival is a very lively and funky festival where people from all walks of life come together on one platform and spread cheer and happiness.
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