Goa Carnival 2025 an experience of lifetime to remember and cherish

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Pics by Alphonse Mendonca
Bellevision Media Network

Madgaon, Goa, 04 March 2025: The four days long traditional Goa Carnival 2025 that commenced from 01 March and continued till 04 March 2025, and spread over four prominent cities of Goa, Panjim, Madgaon, Vasco and Mapusa on successive days was an experience of lifetime to remember and cherish. 

 

The Goa Carnival is also called  Intruz, Entrado or Viva Carnival. that  refers to Though significantly smaller than the well-known Rio Carnival or the Portuguese Carnival of Madeira, the Goa Carnival is the largest in India and one of the few traditional celebrations. The present version of the Goa Carnival was modelled after the Rio Carnival of Brazil by a local musician named Timoteo Fernandes that commenced from 1965 to attract tourists. It has since turned into a major tourist attraction in Goa.

 

While the roots of the Carnival in Goa date back to the introduction of Roman Catholic traditions during the Portuguese conquest of Goa, being celebrated since the eighteenth century. However, the Carnival lost its festive celebration during the later days of colonialism, as Portugal’s authoritarian regime limited freedom of assembly and press. 

 

After the end of Portuguese rule, the Brazilian version of the festival was imposed by Timoteo Fernandes in 1965, a Goan musician who modelled it after the famed Rio Carnival. This was done to attract more tourism. Today, the urban parade includes floats from local villages, commercial entities, and cultural groups. It is still organised in a very traditional manner, including by the staging of street side local plays called Khell tiatrs, in various villages, especially in the taluka of Salcete . According to the Government of Goa’s Department of Tourism, the carnival is "Goa’s most famous festival and has been celebrated since the 18th century." 

The Carnival usually starts off on Fat Saturday (known as Sabado Gordo) and concludes on Fat Tuesday (known as Shrove Tuesday), just before Ash Wednesday and the first day of the Western Christian season of Lent, observed by Christians of the Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican denominations, among others. In Panjim, the capital of Goa, the festival is complemented by Grape Escapade, a local wine festival, and a dance at Samba Square in the centrally-located Garden of Garcia da Orta. 

 

According to local tradition, during Carnival Goa is taken over by King Momo, usually a local resident who presides over the festival during the four-day span. King Momo traditionally proclaims the Konkani message Kha, piye aani majja kar  meaning "Eat, drink and make merry". 

 

For the Goa Carnival 2025,the tourism department has chosen  Cleeven Mathew Fernandes as this year’s ’King Momo’, the mythical leader of the highly patronised carnival float parade. Hailing from Benaulim in South Goa, Fernandes was selected out of four applicants after a screening process.

 

The parade usually begins on Fat Saturday evening with a procession headed by King Momo. Balloons, horse-drawn carriages, decorated bullock carts and elaborate floats are the highlights of the parade. The festivities during Goa Carnival include dancing troupes, revellers wearing masks and costumes, live music, sports competitions, floats and parades, and food and drinking. 

 

The Goa Carnival 2025 was officially flagged off this weekend in a grand ceremony by Goa CM Dr Pramod Sawant, along with minister for tourism, Rohan A. Khaunte, director of tourism, Kedar Naik, managing director GTDC, Kuldeep Arolkar, Mayor of Panjim, Rohit Monserrate, Panjim Carnival Committee, and actress Varsha Usgaonkar. 

 

With the legendary King Momo proclaiming his famous decree—"Eat, Drink & Make Merry but Responsibly"—the celebrations commenced, marking the beginning of four days of vibrant revelry until March 4.

This year’s Carnival has attracted a significant number of international tourists, with visitors from across the globe gathering in Goa to witness the grand spectacle. The festival`s signature float parade, a mesmerizing display of color, culture, and creativity, set off from Panjim, continuing through Mapusa, Morjim, Margao, and Vasco. Elaborately decorated floats showcased Goa’s rich folklore, traditions, and modern artistic expressions, offering an immersive experience for both locals and global travellers. The streets resonated with flamboyant dancers, street performers, and infectious music, creating an atmosphere of unbridled festivity.

 

Along with HM Pernal, Editor of “Kittal.com” web-portal and “Arso” monthly magazine and Alphonse Mendonca, photographer for Bellevision.com, I had an opportunity to witness the Goa Carnival at Maadgaon on Sunday, 2 March 2025. Opposite to Municipal Garden, a huge stage was put up where King Momo along with entourage sat to witness the grand parade passing in front of the stage. The floats and parade commenced their journey from the Hoy Spirit Church and passed through the road leading to the Municipal Garden in the Madgaon Market area and passed in front of the stage as the floats and dancers performed their acts to be witnessed and appreciated by King Momo and large number of local people and tourists enjoying the show. 

 

Goa’s rich heritage and its growing global recognition as a cultural tourism hub with music, dance, and joyous celebrations has been manifested by the Goa Carnival 2025. With  various events such as street plays, parades, the Carnival has been a life-time experience for all which is to be remembered and cherished.