The Antigua and Barbuda Carnival is a ten day extravaganza, which gives a reason for all to have unlimited joy in the endless fun- filling activities. Talents shows, exciting costumes, beauty pageants and music that will sure make everyone dance to its beats. The carnival 2010 is being organized from July 24- August 3rd and the event promises to entertain all with proceedings that have amazed all in the past.
With events like the Miss Antigua Pageant and the extravagant Parade of bands, everyone present at the carnival is sure to witness an experience of a lifetime. Touted to be the ‘greatest summer festival of the year’, join the carnival 2010 to get drenched in the ocean of festivity, celebration, fun and enjoyment.
With an array of musical forms being entailed the one that stands as the main attraction is the Calypso competitions, which all and any can witness at this year’s carnival profoundly. With events like the Steel Drum Music and Soca get ready to get lost in the soulful music that will sure take you to another world. All this and innumerable smaller festivities encompassing performances of the local bands, parades, cuisines, cultural shows, at the Carnival all will sure find a way to enjoy and get a fun-cavort experience ‘FULL-ON’…!
Carnivals are just not about having fun but also about becoming accustomed with the local traditions and way of life and celebrate as one with the locals. The La Ceiba Carnival is probably the largest carnival celebrations in Central America and many enchanting delights wait for all the carnival lovers who flock to this place in thousands. This annual celebration in Honduras tales place in May and like each year the festivities for the year 2010 will also be held in the same month. The carnival celebrations are held to honor the patron saint of La Ceiba, Saint Isidore and started years back though with time has only become grander and more festive.
The biggest event during the carnival is a parade which involves colorful costumes and local dishes involving all to party all night. The festivities commence with crowning of carnival queen and only get bigger with many plazas and neighborhoods becoming involved with their own Carnavalito. The whole month of May will witness many parties and carousing which have made the La Ceiba Carnival one of the best carnivals in this part of globe. Blended with tradition, faith and never ending parties the carnival can sure be the best place to be for pure fun.
India is a place where many religious and spectacular events are held almost every day and the significance of these is unparallel in the indigenous culture and tradition. Kumbh Mela is perhaps the biggest event where millions gather at one place and take dip in Holy water of a Holy River to wash off their sins. The Maha (Biggest) Kumbh Mela (Human Gathering) at Haridwar in north India is the perfect intermingle of languages, religions, sects, communities and people, which has helped this event carry its importance well into modern times. The Maha Kumbh Mela this year began on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti- January 14th 2010 and will continue to attract devotes until it ends in April, 2010.
Mythology contains the cause of origin of this auspicious day, which has been celebrated since the time of human origin. According to it, when the gods and devils were fighting for the possession of the pot of nectar which guaranteed immortality, few drops from the pot fell in four different holy places, which made them the centre of Kumbh Melas. Planetary configurations decide the dates of the Maha Kumbh Melas which are organized in each twelve years. The Maha Kumbh Mela at Haridwar is the biggest of all the Kumbhs and is rightly cited as the path to salvation.
The visuals that one can see at the Kumbh Mela are something that they will not find elsewhere and the pure devotion of all the people who make it the Kumbh makes it even more special. The echoing music and the sounds of the chanting makes the atmosphere divine with all aiming to be close to the Supreme God in all the true meaning. The Naga Sadhus who cover their body with nothing but plain earth and ash and carrying tridents, silver maces, swords and swears do present an awesome view. Various sages from all the different Akharas fill the holy ghats and everyone just waits to take a dip in the Holy Ganga River’s Jal (water) which sure turns into nectar to wash away everything evil and bad.
Haridwar turns into a small world with all gathering from world over at one place forgetting their differences and joining in an endeavor to be blessed and purified. The religious leaders, politicians and the common man are all merged into one big crowd with nothing to distinguish them from each other. The ten Shahi Snans or the royal baths are the days, which attract the most crowd and with the religious belief flying high, no one remains aloof from the God. The evening prayers with millions of lights floating on the Holy Ganga banks and the aura the same sends is something which can only be experienced in self.
Caribbean is the best place to feel the energy and fun of the most exotic carnivals and the Tampa Bay carnival at St. Petersburg is certainly one in the category. The celebrations this year will mark the 18th anniversary of this event and the event will conclude with the most spectacular performances. The 2010 Tampa Bay carnival will be organized on June 12th and June 13th and the utterly scenic and historic Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg, Florida will certainly add to the entertainment factor. The weekend would be full of some exciting activities which would include performances by acclaimed Caribbean artists and stalls featuring some lip smacking ethnic foods.
The carnival will also host DJs, live and highly entertaining steel bands music and all the best crafts at display. Sunday will also see a costume parade which will enable one to see the best of colors and local talent. Every year some acclaimed international and local artists perform at the carnival and this year the list will include Alison Hinds, Sean Paul, Gilberto Santa Rosa and Arturo Sandival. Carnivals always bring about the best in all the aspects and Tampa Bay carnival with thousands of visitors from Canada, United States, Caribbean and Latin America it would certainly be one big party.
