Chiranjeevi to kick off Goa carnival Feb 9

Panaji, Dec 20 (IANS) Union Tourism Minister and southern superstar Chiranjeevi will kick off the Goa carnival Feb 9.

Speaking to reporters, state Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said that the actor would flag off the festival in Goa, which marks the beginning of holy season of Lent.

“We had been requested Chiranjeeviji for a long time to grace the carnival function. He has agreed. He will be the chief guest who will be flagging off the rally,” he said.

The Goa carnival celebration is one of the biggest in Asia after the Phillipines, the other nation in Asia ruled by the Iberians.

Goa’s carnival is similar to the carnival parades in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and not quite unlike the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans and France. The parades involve the entire populace of the city pouring onto the streets to participate of watch colourful parades of men and women in costumes and various whacky attires.

Goa’s colourful carnival processions, which are normally held in February before the holy season of Lent are symbolic of Goa’s colonial Portuguese legacy, something which the three others invitee states incidentally do not share, because they were governed under British-ruled India.

The parades are typically led by a specifically chosen King Momo who decrees three days of fun and frolic.

IANS 2012-12-20 21:36:08