Goemkarponn Desk
PORVORIM: Tourism Minister Manohar (Babu) Azgoankar today said that the state government has not taken any decision at the moment to hold the annual carnival celebrations in the state.
“As present we have not takenany decsion regarding holding of carnival celebrations in the state,” said Azgoankar speaking to reporters
Goa Carnival is a three- to four-day long festival preceding the season of lent (February), marking the season of exhilaration, merrymaking and mayhem before Catholics start fasting and abstinence.
The history of Goa Carnival can be traced back some 500 years ago to the time when the Portuguese settlers ruled over the area. It started as a pre Mardi Gras revelry accompanied by partying and large consumption of food and drinks before the 40-day long sacrifice and fasting season began. The event was originally celebrated by the Catholics and was more about Portuguese culture and traditions but with time, all communal barriers got dissolved leaving it as a grand celebration of Goan culture.