Enjoy The Various Shades Of Your Fabulous Goa Holiday

One of the very best reasons to visit the lovely state of Goa, is the possibility of enjoying a slow and harmonious holiday. Picture this. There you are, tucked away in a sleepy village, enjoying your luxurious villa rental, far from the tourist bustle of large hotels and resorts. You need not budge from your lounge unless you want to. Let the ebb and flow of everyday life soothe your soul.

Rise early and you may be rewarded by the sight of a bullock cart and driver heading down the road. Head into town for some fresh fish and produce. Then when hunger strikes, you'll have all the ingredients necessary for a tasty meal, cooked on your very own grill. Or, if you're really feeling lazy, explore some of the quaint eateries that are eager to satisfy your taste buds.

This all sounds like heaven doesn't it? However, if later in your stay, you feel the need to punctuate this idyllic scene with a little bit of spice, then be sure to catch a local carnival. Goans are a fun loving people who like to party, so several times a year they pull out all the stops and let feasting, song and dance rule the day. Sorry, make that three days and four nights of fun. Most carnivals last an entire weekend.

The best and most famous Goa carnival takes place in February each year. Preparations for this big event begin a couple of months earlier as Goans go into rehearsal mode. Short plays are written, incorporating dance, music and song, usually with a subtle touch of history woven in. You'd be surprised at the casting call as it is stipulated that only male actors to need apply. All the parts, including those of women, are filled by men.

Carnival, which is derived from a Latin word meaning, to take away meat, has been celebrated since the eighteenth century. It was begun by the Portuguese who ruled Goa for five hundred years. Early origins can be traced back to the hedonistic feasts of ancient Rome and Greece. It is designed to allow plenty of eating, drinking and merry making, just before the restrictions of the forty days of Lent.

The festival, which encompasses Hindu as well as western dance, is primarily celebrated by Christians. Although it began as a celebration exclusively for the state of Goa, it has expanded greatly to other states in India, and also attracts tourists by the thousands from all over the world.

During carnival, some lucky person takes on the role of the legendary King Momo, who rules the state. A decree is sent out, ordering the inhabitants of Goa to enjoy unlimited dancing and enthusiastic singing, as they watch colorful floats and bands roll by well into the night. Presiding over it all is King Momo, who judges the various performances and distributes prizes to the lucky winners. On the last day of the carnival, everyone enjoys the famous red and black dance that is held by the Clube National in Panajim.

Up until a few years ago, the carnival became overun with manufacturing and trading corporations who basically took over the whole of Goa. They saw it as an excellent venue for selling their liquor, cigarettes, beer and other consumer products. Social activists eventually put an end to this commercialism, citing the exploitation of teenage boys and girls. Now natives and tourists alike can join in the lively dancing with renewed abandon.

Now you can sample all the various shades of your fabulous Goan holiday. Whether you want to wrap yourself in quiet solitude, mingle with the natives as they go about their daily activities, or get swept up in the excitement of carnival, it's entirely up to you.