LOOKING OUTSIDE FOR YOU...

Goa  Carnival is the most famous festival in the state and has been celebrating since the 18th century as a precursor to the abstinence of Lent.

The ‘Carnival’ is exclusive, unique to Goa and was introduced by the Portuguese who ruled over Goa for over five hundred years.

Huge colourful parades take over the state’s cities with bands, floats and dances, while the evenings mean serious partying wherever you are.

Try not to miss the final day’s festivities, which conclude with the famous red-and-black dance held by the Club National in Panjim. 

The float parades are organised in association with the State Tourism Department. The float parade in Panjim will be led by a special float hosting King Momo, a specially decorated float, which will declare the decree of eat, drink and merry.

Although, the three-day festival primarily celebrated by Christians, it has also absorbed Hindu tradition revelry, western dance forms, and turned into a pageantry of sorts.

 Though it started as a celebration enjoyed only by the local population, it has today crossed the state frontiers and attracts thousands of people from all over the country.  

The carnival is held in February for three days and nights, when the legendary king Momo takes over the state and the streets come alive with music and color. Then begins the weeklong event, which is a time of unbridled festivity and merry-making, which has been celebrated since the 18th Century. 

The carnival is meant to be a feasting-drinking-merrymaking orgy just before the austere 40 days of Lent. Huge parades are organized throughout the state with bands, dances and floats out all night on the streets, and grand balls held in the evenings.

The carnival concludes with the famous red-and-black dance held by the Club National in Panjim on the final day. 

Origin of Festival

The origins and nature of the carnival can be traced to the hedonistic 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. The carnival presided over by King Momo, who on the opening day orders his subjects to party. Hotel bookings must be done in advance for carnival as the festival attracts thousands of tourists. 

How the Word Carnival is got?

The word Carnival (Carnaval in Portuguese) derived from a Latin word meaning ‘to take away meat’ and is an expression of the 40-day period of fasting of Lent, during which abstinence from meat is a rule. 

The carnival is not celebrated anywhere else in India and was in decline even in Goa in the last few years of Portuguese rule. Its revival with the Liberation of Goa, and a boost to its tourism was therefore welcome. From being almost on the brink of decline, this three day festival of gay abandon and riotous revelry now attracts thousands of tourists to Goa from all over India every year!

ACTIVITIES YOU MIGHT LIKE

2 OFFERS

  North Goa Area •  Pickup-Drop Available

Dudhsagar Falls Tour Package

7k+ Bookings

2999

1799

SAVE ₹ 1200 /TICKET

  North Goa Area •  Pickup-Drop Available

North Goa Sightseeing Tour

4k+ Bookings

599

399

SAVE ₹ 200 /TICKET

  North Goa Area •  Pickup-Drop Available

South Goa Sightseeing Tour

4k+ Bookings

599

399

SAVE ₹ 200 /TICKET

2 OFFERS

  North Goa Area •  Pickup-Drop Available

Scuba Diving at Grande Island and Water Sports Combo

6k+ Bookings

3999

1999

SAVE ₹ 2000 /TICKET

1 OFFERS

  Water Sports Point Baga Beach •  Pickup-Drop Available

5 in 1 Water sports Package

3k+ Bookings

2499

1499

SAVE ₹ 1000 /TICKET

2 OFFERS

  North Goa Area •  Pickup-Drop Available

Romantic Dinner Cruise

3k+ Bookings

2499

1499

SAVE ₹ 1000 /TICKET

  Kayaking Point Chikali Goa •  Pickup-Drop Available

Kayaking Tour by Local Goa Kayaking

1k+ Bookings

2000

1200

SAVE ₹ 800 /TICKET

  North Goa Area •  Pickup-Drop Available

Adventure Party Boat with Water Sports

4k+ Bookings

2799

2399

SAVE ₹ 400 /TICKET

  Water Sports Point Baga Beach •  Pickup-Drop Available

Parasailing in Goa

1k+ Bookings

1299

899

SAVE ₹ 400 /TICKET

  Dolphin Sightseeing Point •  Pickup-Drop Available

Dolphin Sighting in Goa

4k+ Bookings

499

299

SAVE ₹ 200 /TICKET

FEATURED BLOGS

Mar 10, 2023

Best Time To Visit Goa

Best Time to Visit Goa – November to March – April and October – May to Septembe...
Read More

Mar 10, 2023

Dabolim airport to Panjim and Calangute transport

In this article we will guide you on how to reach Panjim or Calangute when you a...
Read More

Jan 7, 2023

MOPA Airport To Calangute Candolim Sinquerim Transport

In this article we have answered the most frequently asked question we get from ...
Read More

Jul 14, 2022

The realm of Fascination; Goa’s Cluster of Floating Casinos!

Want to experience Fascination, Casinos are all you need to visit in Goa for var...
Read More

Mar 19, 2022

Shigmo Festival

The Shigmo festival, also known as Shigmotsav is a spring festival celebrated in...
Read More

Feb 26, 2022

Goa carnival

Goa's Carnival popularly also known as “Viva Carnival” this year will be celebra...
Read More

Sep 24, 2021

Goan Cuisine And Seafood Restaurants

Goan cuisine consists of regional foods popular in Goa, an Indian state located ...
Read More