Held in the second week of February, the annual Goa Carnival celebrates the arrival of spring, before the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting before Easter. Introduced by the Portuguese in the 18th century, it begins with a character called King Momo arriving in Panaji and instructing everyone to begin celebrating. The major carnivals are held in Panjim, Margoa, Vasco and Mapusa, with parades and floats; feasting, singing, dancing and general, all-round merry-making.
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