CHIKOL KALO IN MARCEL

The Kalo festival is celebrated in different temples between the months of November and February. In different places it is celebrated for one, two or even three days. All people take part in the festival with great enthusiasm and religious fervour. In Goa, the season of Kalo begins with the onset of the winter season. A day after celebrating the ritualistic marriage ceremony of basil plant pedestal or Tulshi vivah, the people get ready for celebrating Kalo.

When celebrating Kalo, the youth climb on each others shoulders and make human pyramids to reach a clay pot, containing yoghurt, fruits and sweets, which is kept at a height in the temple premises. Before this ritual, a folk drama known as 'Gavalan Kalo' is performed by the young artistes wherein incidents of Lord Krishna's childhood are enacted through traditional songs and dialogues. In some villages, the idol meant for the festive occasion is placed in a well-decorated chariot and this chariot is pulled by the devotees accompanied by music and singing.

On the day of Kalo the temple is decorated with flowers and in some villages, the idol of the deity meant for the festive occasion is placed in a palanquin which is taken out in a procession throughout the village. In chikal kalo the instruments used are dhol. While having bath in the mud water the people throw mud water on other people or carry them to the mud water and throw them in that mud water.

The instruments used for chikol kalo is dhol, romot, and kasaley. the old people sing songs whilw other youngest dance or play in the mud water.