PANAJI
Music, dancing and revelry is set to enthrall Goans and tourists alike as the government on Tuesday announced the schedule of Carnival parades in the State.
According to the schedule, the Department of Tourism will organize Carnival parades in collaboration with local municipal bodies from February 26 to March 1 only at four places -- Panaji, Margao, Vasco and Mapusa.
The parade in Panaji will kick off on February 26. Margao will host the parade on February 27 while in Vasco and Mapusa, the Carnival parades will be on February 28 and March 1 respectively.
All the parades will be flagged of at 3.30 pm following all Covid-related protocols and by observing the Model Code of Conduct that is in force for the general elections to the Legislative Assembly.
There will, however, be no commercial floats or floats on political themes.
Meanwhile, the Corporation of the City of Panaji and Panjim City Carnival in association with Goa Vintage and Classic Automobile Club will hold a Carnival vintage and classic car drive on February 27 at Samba square at 9 am.
One of the best festivals in not just the State but also the whole of India, Carnival draws thousands of people.
Besides the float parades involving decorated floats representing various facets of Goa’s life and culture, the carnival is also celebrated through dances and community events, but this year the government seems to have curtailed the celebrations.
The noisy, crowded and usually boisterous float parade traces back to Portuguese cultural heritage and is held in the days preceding the solemnity Ash Wednesday the first day of a 40-day period of abstinence and fasting observed by Catholics.
