CARNIVAL : Fun And Frolic In Goa

February heralds the Carnival, three days of abandon and hig spirits before the austerities of the 40-day lent begin in Goa. For three fun-filled days and nights, the legendary king Memo takes over the state and the streets are alive with colourful revelry. Dancing, music, eating and drinking continue all night while mock battles are fought and a procession of floats and banner wends its way through trunk roads. Dancers bring great scene of pageantry to Goa, with the red and black dancers of Panjim being a highlight of the Carnival which attracts hoards of India and foreign tourists every year.

The Carnival is a wonderfully festive manifestation of the gregarious nature and spirit which characterises the Goan community. The typical guitar music with its enticing rhythm and harmony, heard all over Goa, is part of the rich musical heritage adopted from Portugal. It has further strengthened the distinctive identity of this region. The mingling of eastern and western cultures has created a truly rich synthesis.