Unique local Goan festivals during Carnival |Mussoll Khel, Chandor| Potekar, Divar | Gomantak Times

Experience more than just floats and parades at Goa’s Carnival! Don’t miss two unique local festivals: ’Potekar’ on Divar Island and ’Mussoll Khel’ in Chandor village. Dive into Goa’s rich culture this Carnival season! The ‘Potekar’ festival takes place on the island of Divar. It began well before the Portuguese came to Goa and coincides with the Carnival festivities every year. During the festival, islanders dress up as ‘Potekars’, donning scary costumes and masks similar to those at Halloween, and roam around the village scaring people. They often wear animal costumes and homemade masks while carrying a sack. In addition, they wear cowbells on their ankles and waists, and as they walk, the sound of these bells can be heard for miles around the village. The celebrations are both fascinating and interesting at the same time. This year, the festival starts on Sunday, February 11, 2024, and ends on February 13, 2024. The best day to observe this festival is the last day, around afternoon time, when you will get a chance to see a lot of ‘potekars’. It’s almost like getting to experience an early Halloween -- this time in Goa! The second unique local festival that takes place in Goa during Carnival time is the ‘Mussoll Khel’, which takes place in the village of Chandor. ‘Musallam khel’ or ‘Mussol nach’ is an ancient dance form that occurs in this village of South Goa and has been happening for several centuries, performed only by men. A ‘mussol’ is basically a ‘pestle’, and hence this dance translates to ‘pestle dance’. It involves pounding using a pestle and is presented by the Christian ‘Chardo’ (Christian ‘Kshatriya’) community of Chandor. ‘Mussoll Khel’ takes place at night on Monday and Tuesday during Carnival. This year it will be celebrated on February 12, 2024, at Cotta Chandor, and on the next day, February 13, 2024, in Cavorim. While performing the dance, the men also wear special attire consisting of a ‘dhoti’, jacket, ‘pagdi’, and ‘ghungroos’. They dance in a circle, holding pestles in their hands, pointing them towards the centre of the circle while simultaneously stepping back. They also chant and sing as they dance to the beat of local musical instruments such as the ‘ghumot’, ‘zanze’, and ‘mussol’. The dancing goes on until around midnight as they move all around the ward. . . . Gomantak Times is the best way to stay informed about anything and everything happening in Goa. Watch the latest stories from Goa on Gomantak Times here: ► For Live Goa Updates Visit Us at: ►For Latest Trends Follow us on Twitter: ► Like Follow Share Us on Facebook: ► Follow us on Instagram: ► For Trending Videos Subscribe us at: ► For more videos check out the following playlists: Explore Goa with GT Search, Travel & Explore Goa Happenings What’s New In Goa Goan Appetit (Best food in Goa) Goa: A Minute Guide #goa #india #gomantaktimes #gomantaktimesyoutube #goacarnival2024 #carnival2024 #panjimcarnival2024 #porvorimcarnival #mussollkhel #chandor #chandorfestival #goafestivals #goanlocalfestival #goanfestival2024 #pottekardivarisland #divarisland #divarislandfestival #goabeaches #vivacarnival2024 #vivacarnival