The much-popular five-day carnival began here today with pomp as the traditional float parade was taken out in the city along the picturesque Mandovi river.
The parade started on D B Bandodkar Road in the capital city. Thirty-eight year old Joel D'Sozua, a young IT professional, chosen to be King Momo this year, heralded the parade on board the main float of state Tourism Department, flanked by carnival queen in pink dress and a princess in blue. The carnival in Goa had its birth during the era of King Momo.
The government-sponsored parade was flagged off by Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza in the presence of state Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar. Both the politicians were dressed in colourful shirts and donned carnival hats.
The beginning of the celebrations had a touch of Bollywood with Neha Sharma and Jackky Bhagnani, whose movie 'Youngistaan' is scheduled to be released, were present as the special invitees.
The main float with King Momo on board had two unicorns at the side. As the King proclaimed the degree of 'Eat, Drink and be Merry', the entire street was thronged by spectators and tourists, who came there to witness the colourful parade that traversed almost three kilometers before culminating at Kala Academy square.
The City of Corporation of Panaji (CCP), which traditionally symbolically hands over the key of the city to King Momo, stayed away from the parade this year.
Mayor Surendra Furtado had announced a parallel festival as a protest against Manohar Parrikar government's decision of not providing financial assistance to the civic body to organise activities as part of the carnival this year.
The CCP, headed by Furtado has organised festivities at city's garden named as Samba Square during the ongoing carnival days. However, corporators owing allegiance to BJP, were seen participating in the main float parade.
While state Ttourism Department will host float parades in other cities from tomorrow, the traditional carnival celebrations in rural Goa have already begun from last night.
The origin of carnival in Goa can be traced to the times when Portuguese ruled the state and the celebrations are held ahead of 40 day long lent season for Catholics, the time for penance, reflection and fasting.
