The streets of Goa will come alive once again in the spirit of Carnaval, and don a colorful look as Goans and tourists come together to celebrate VIVA Carnaval 2023.
Goa has an interesting history when it comes to its culture, heritage, festivals, and spirituality. The state has also long been regarded as the ideal destination for vacations worldwide and was recently listed among Asia’s top 15 beaches, with 4 beaches from Goa. Popular festivals such as Sao Joao, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, VIVA Carnaval, Shigmotsav, Food, and Cultural festivals, and many others are a true representation of Goan culture when people gather to celebrate the festivities, the traditional way.
This year the extravaganza festival, VIVA Carnaval 2023 is set to take place from the 18th until the 21st of February, and a curtain raiser on the 17th of February in Porvorim. For the first time, the Carnaval in Panaji will witness Helicopter flybys and a float parade in Mandovi River to complement the on-road float parade. The tourism department will be showcasing 4 Hop-On Hop-Off buses which will be re-launched officially soon.
The curtain raiser will commence at the Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology (IHM) Porvorim with a float parade from IHM to Adcil School, Porvorim. The flagging off of the float parade will be done on Saturday, 18th February at Panaji at 3:30 pm from New Patto Bridge to Kala Academy / Campal ground. At Margao on Sunday, the 19th from Holy Spirit Church Margao to Margao Municipal Council Square. From St. Andrew’s Church Junction (Swatantra Path) to Joshi Chowk, Vasco on Monday, the 20th. At Mapusa on Tuesday, the 21st the parade will start from the Comunidade building behind Milagres Church and end at Communidade ground near Bodgeshwar temple. While simultaneously, at Morjim it will start from Morjim Khind to Morjim Junction.
The Carnaval parade will move along the road with floats in categories such as traditional, club/institutional, family, fun junk, and clown joker, including floats from local villages and cultural groups.
With the operationalisation of the new Helipad at Dhauje, Old Goa, Goa tourism is giving thrust on new tourism services such as helicopter tours. The department has also set up a 24×7 running helpline for tourists in cases of distress or to seek any detail they require.
Like every year, this year too, Hon. Minister of Tourism, IT and Printing & Stationery, Government of Goa, Shri Rohan Khaunte welcomes all travelers, the whole of India, and around the world to celebrate and participate in this spirit of “Togetherness”.
Russel D’Souza, an entrepreneur from Margao -Goa, has been selected as the King Momo among 10applicants based on the personality, background, and talent criteria. He will spread the message kha, piye aani majja kar (eat, drink, and make merry) and will lead the floats at the VIVA Carnaval 2023.
Ensuring a safe environment for the tourists and the residents, the Department looks forward to hosting another successful event for the people in Goa.
For us at Planet-Goa, our team is driven by that feeling of exhilaration that one gets when discovering that something ‘unique’ and ‘new’ about Goa for our ever-so-discerning readers.
