Monsoon travel plans incomplete without the vibrant Mud Festival in Goa on your list
The Chikhal Kalo Festival, a significant cultural event in Goa, is set to take place from July 5th to 7th this year. This three-day celebration, held at the Devki Krishna temple in Marcel, Goa, is a living testament to the region's deep connection with nature, agriculture, and spirituality.
At its core, Chikhal Kalo is a tribute to Lord Krishna, reflecting the playful spirit of his childhood in Gokul. The festival is celebrated on the sacred grounds of the Sri Devki-Krishna Temple in Marcel village, North Goa. It honours Goa's agrarian way of life, revering the soil as the source of life, and symbolises gratitude for fertility and good crops, particularly during the monsoon season.
The festival is a celebration of unity, communal harmony, and historical continuity, blending rituals with joyful activities. The main attraction of the Chikhal Kalo is traditional games like chendu fali, khushti, tug-of-war, and more that take place in the mud. Young men engage in the dahi handi, a traditional game where they form a human pyramid to break a clay pot of curd tied high in a tree.
The day begins with devotional rituals followed by traditional music performed on instruments like the ghumot, shamel, and taal. The festival features vibrant dance performances, including Fugdi and Dhalo, which represent Goa's connection with nature. Although the mud play activities are traditionally men-only, the festival welcomes women, tourists, and children to participate in the celebrations by cheering and taking photos.
The event showcases Goa's traditional rhythms through folk music and art displays, enriching the cultural experience for all attendees. This year's Chikhal Kalo also includes a cooking competition, a devotional musical program, and a spiritual music concert.
Kedar Naik, the director of tourism for Goa, stated that the Department is committed to curating and promoting festivals like Chikhal Kalo as part of the "Goa Beyond Beaches" campaign. The festival is exclusive to the town of Marcel and is held on the 11th day of the Hindu month of Ashadh. The celebrations culminate on July 7th with traditional mud games.
For those seeking offbeat experiences in Goa during the monsoon season, Chikhal Kalo offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the region's rich cultural heritage. Alongside monsoon cruises, trekking in the forests, and spice plantation visits, the Chikhal Kalo Festival is a must-visit destination for any travel enthusiast or culture connoisseur.
The festival not only showcases Goa's rich cultural heritage but also its deep connection with nature, as it is held during the monsoon season. Aside from the Chikhal Kalo Festival, travelers can explore other unique experiences such as home-and-garden tours, emphasizing Goa's rural lifestyle, or embark on adventure trips like trekking and spice plantation visits, all within the context of the "Goa Beyond Beaches" campaign.
