Chikal Kalo Festival

Chikal Kalo, a religious festival which means “playing in the mud” is celebrated during the monsoons in Goa. This particular festival is native to the village of Marcel in Ponda. This year it will be celebrated on the 30th of June.

The festival dates back to over 400 years and is believed to have moved to Marcel, from Chorao, along with the temple, during the Portuguese rule.

This is one of the rarest temples that you will find in India that is dedicated to Lord Krishna and his mother Devki. Though the villagers cannot really trace back the exact year the festival commenced, they celebrate it with great fervour, year after year, by rolling in the mud and playing traditional games. The ground opposite Devaki Krishna Temple becomes a playground for over 300 revellers on this day. The participants use oil as it protects them against any possible infection present in the mud and then move out of the temple.

The locals and tourists are also welcomed to witness and be a part of this festival. We also have the traditional Goan instruments that would be played during this time to keep the crowd in their spirits. 

There are some interesting stories related to this festival that will be shared with you on this experience. 

Note:

1) Women might not be able to participate in the games, however they can witness the same.

2) This is not a walking trail. Transport would be required between the different points in the trail. We recommend using the same transport that you come by for the whole trail. Transport is not provided by Soul Travelling.

Trail Duration: 3.5 - 4 Hours

Start Time: 9:30 AM