Goa Carnival

Travel to Goa, the land of breathtakingly beautiful blue beaches, sensuous silvery sands, fabulous flora and fauna, rich cultural heritage, captivating churches and terrific temples, Goa is also popular for its colorful fairs and festivals. Although, Goa is a fun place to be all round the year, a good option for Goa travel is during the Goan Carvival.

Travel to Goa during its carnival will give tourists a wholly different experience to savour. The Carnival in Goa transforms it into a riot of colors and unlimited fun. What started as an old crude mimicry of class distinction, blossomed into social satire today. Carnival in Goa is a great leveler. From dawn to dusk and back to dawn again, its music, dance, costumes, parties, laughter, joy and romance. Those who fell in love during Carnival married after Easter.

Compared to Brazil, the Carnival in Goa is a much tamer affair but has the same mood, madness and vibrancy. And for those who have never before experienced the Goan way of life, one of the big mysteries of the Carnival are the local revelers who sing and dance their way practically non-stop, through four nights and three days. They drink almost by the barrel and yet few show signs of drunkenness. Revelers greet each other with a full-throated "Viva Carnaval." The felos-the entertainment of the masses through short dramas-are performed by troupes of enthusiastic locals as they move from one village to another, spreading goodwill, cheer, bonhomie, and camaraderie amongst the inhabitants. Jokes, witty remarks against the body politic, officials, the regedor, the badhkar and the well-to-do form an ever-present backdrop to these revelries. As the felos move on, they gather momentum as crowds of villagers join them.

But like all good things, the carnival too must come to an end. After four nights of fun, frolic, music, revelry and masquerading, the enthusiastic but tired crowds enter the church as the Lent commences. It commemorates the 40 days of penance and prayer that Christ underwent before crucifixion. The Christians begin this season to remind themselves that they are dust and that unto dust they will return. Nothing can be more symbolic of this than the smearing of ash on their foreheads - from where Ash Wednesday derives its name.

Over half a century has elapsed since the carnival of old. Today's carnival, though devoid of its old-world charm and true meaning, is still a time to remember Goa. It is still the best occasion to travel to Goa and enjoy the "Pearl of the East" in all its hues.