Goa Carnival ina 4 days festival of color, song and music, providing a healthy entertainment for all, young and old. The word 'carnival' is said to be derived from the Latin 'carne', meaning meat, and 'vale', which translates to 'good-bye'. Some also link the word to 'carnislevamen' or 'the pleasures of meat', focusing on the enjoyment of meat during the festivities, before the abstinence that follows during Lent. The soothing climate, full of fun- 'n' -frolic, which the Carnival generates, is much longed for. There is enthusiasm and happiness all around. It carried men and women in fancy dresses, wearing masks, and singing obscene songs. It is possible that the present-day concept of a carnival emerged from this parade. Saturnalia was characterized by a total disregard for normal conventions.

The contestants wear colorful costumes and elaborate masks. In the fun-filled ambience, people smear color on each other, instead of the flour, eggs, fruit and water that used to be used in earlier times.

Carnival Program

• Saturday 9th February, 2002 Panaji
• Sunday 10th February, 2002 Margao
• Monday 11th February, 2002 Mapusa
• Tuesday 12th February, 2002 Vasco

Carnival is a time for fun and frolic. Colourful processions and lavish floats parade the streets. Singing, dancing and masked people mark the uproarious and flamboyant Goan celebration. Most of the countries have carnivals that differ from one another but the unique thing about Goa carnival is that the people of Goa have inculcated different items in the carnival that makes us feel the different shades of Goa. The streets are crowded for three days and it is nothing but a carnival of colours, a carnival of fun and a carnival of joy for the people of Goa as well as the tourists who make it a point to plan their Goa visit during that time.

Celebrated as a three day period of merrymaking and revelry where the Monarch of the festival, King Momo and his consort the queen are chosen, and they open the festivities, Carnival is one of the most awaited summer fiestas. Adapted from the Portuguese during their tenure in Goa, Carnival highlights grand parades of floats and decorated traditional and cultural troupes performing on the roads as part of the programs organized and feted by the Government and the tourism industry. The huge floats are artistic creations that enhance the community's desire to highlight the different aspects of social and cultural mores that exist in today's society. The dancers are a vibrant addition to the parades that line the streets in Goa where thousands flock to witness the exotica, in the major townships. The rural community has its own charming and traditional aspect with traveling troupes performing in different areas and the colourful costumes and merry inebriation that is a part of the spirit of Fun.