Goa was ruled by the Portuguese for over 500 years. So the Portuguese introduced the ‘Carnival’ in Goa. It is apparently the most famous festival in Goa and one of the renowned festivals in India. Huge party takes place everywhere within the state. State Tourism Department organises the float parades. The float parade in Panaji is usually led by a special float hosting King Momo, a specially decorated float, declaring the decree of eat,drink and merry.
The three day festival is absorbed by a variety of religions including Christianity,Hindu and also involves western dance forms,etc. It attracts thousands of tourists from all over the country. The carnival takes place in February ranging 3 days, in which streets come alive with music and colour with legendary king Momo taking over the state.
The carnival is basically a feasting-drinking-merrymaking orgy, before the austere 40 days of Lent. On the final day of the festival, the Clube National in Panajim holds famous red and black dance. Started in Spanish and Portuguese colonies, these carnivals became famous for singing, dancing and drinking whose origins and nature involves the hedonistic feasts of ancient Rome and Greece. Unfortunately, the festival was in decline during last years of Poruguese rule. However, after its revival with the liberation of Goa, it became one of the famous festivals in the country, attracting thousands of visitors and spectators from all over the country.
