PANAJI
The 4-day Carnival celebrations kicked off on Saturday in Panaji with thousands of revelers lining up to witness the colourful float parade led by King Momo.
The parade hosted by Tourism Department saw a new route starting from Science centre which moved along the Miramar-Dona Paula road and culminated near Caranzalem Park. The parade was flagged of by Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar in the presence of Panaji Mayor Surendra Furtado.
The parade, with more than 30 floats, was led by King Momo Bruno Azaredo from Utorda-Salcete who opened the floodgates of festivities with a call to eat, drink and be merry.
King Momo and his entourage waved out from atop a vehicle resembling a moving carnival mask amid a chorus of cheers from the crowd.
There were masks and balloons all around while occasional water balloons were seen meeting their targets.
The floats caught the fancy of all onlookers. A traditional Hindu family carrying a statue of Ganapati was seen walking to the tunes of bhajans while there were troupes dancing to the beat of salsa. A float depicting bullfights and Goa’s favourite sport football got a roaring welcome.
There was a message conveyed through a float appealing to segregate waste and use toilets for defecation. Others included a depiction of Goan lifestyle, a Catholic wedding saw newly weds walking hand-in-hand, a traditional Hindu wedding, a statue of Liberty and giant-sized demons
In a first, Goa police participated in the parade with a message against smoking and the consumption of alcohol in public places.
The carnival parade will shift to the commercial capital Margao and Ponda on Sunday. Meanwhile, Panjim Carnival Committee has organized special programmes at Garcia de Orta garden and Samba Square on all four days.
