The Chikhal Kalo Mud Festival is a vibrant and joyous celebration of Goa, India that returns in 2024 to enchant locals and tourists alike. Starting on July 16 and 17, this cultural program will culminate in the main Chikhal Kalo festivities on July 18, 2024, at the Shree Devki Krishna Temple in Marcel, Goa.
Goa’s Chikhal Kalo Mud Festival
Get Ready to Get Muddy! Explore Goa’s MUD BATH Festival, Chikhal Kalo! 🎉 Step into a world where tradition and fun collide in a splash of mud and laughter.#GoaTourism #RegenerativeTourism #GoaBeyondBeaches #HeritageTourism #MonsoonFestivals #ChikalKalo #ChikalKalo2024 pic.twitter.com/k6OYp9hKNx
— Goa Tourism (@TourismGoa) June 26, 2024
Chikhal Kalo, literally translating to “play in the mud,” is an age-old tradition that dates back centuries. The festival is primarily celebrated in the village of Marcel in the Ponda taluka of Goa. It has its roots in the rural lifestyle of Goans, where the onset of the monsoon was a significant event marking the beginning of the sowing season. The festival is believed to be a way of thanking the rain gods for the much-needed showers that ensure a good harvest.
Traditionally, Chikhal Kalo is associated with the worship of Lord Krishna, and its celebrations coincide with the monsoon season, typically in July. This celebration of Krishna’s childhood is mirrored in the enthusiastic participation of children and adults alike.
Goa’s rich cultural legacy and customs are celebrated at the Chikhal Kalo Mud Festival. It is a reminder of the community’s close ties to its spiritual and historical traditions. In addition to providing a joyful and engaging experience for both locals and tourists, this festival highlights Goa’s distinctive and varied cultural landscape.
How Is It Celebrated?
CHIKHAL KALO || Goa's festival of Playing in the Mud 🤩 Marcel, Goa.https://t.co/vglynVgOmg || #goa #goanfestivals #festivalsofgoa #chikhalkalo #goatourism #hiddengoa #goavideos #goa pic.twitter.com/fWWxjvM4Uw
— Nigel M (@Nigelmenezes23) July 12, 2022
In recent years, Chikhal Kalo has gained significant attention. The festival’s unique charm lies in its authenticity and the unadulterated joy it brings to participants. Recognizing its potential as a tourist attraction, the tourism department has started promoting Chikhal Kalo as a must-visit event.
The festival’s schedule is planned to provide a variety of experiences. A cooking competition and an Ashadh Sari-Bhakti Sangeet performance by Goan artists will take place on July 16, 2024. The festival will include a Bhajan Recital at the Shree Devki Krishna Temple on July 17, 2024. The last day, July 18, 2024, will start with the customary Chikhal Kalo festivities. A photography and reel-making competition will also be held, encouraging contestants to imaginatively capture and present the festival’s colourful character.
Embrace the mud, the laughter, and the camaraderie, and you will find yourself enchanted by the magic of Chikhal Kalo.
When: July 16 -18, 2024
Cover image credits: Goa Tourism