Chikal Kalo festival celebrated with gusto in Goa's Marcel

TEMPLE BELLS

Devotees enter the Devaki Krishna temple in Marcel, Tiswadi, in North Goa, to celebrate the annual Chikal Kalo (mud bath) festival on Thursday (July 18).

WELL-OILED

Men, young and old, with their bodies oiled, entered the temple for bhajans, prayers and to seek blessings before partaking in the mud bath.

CHANTS OF DEVOTION

Chants such as Jai Vitthal and Hari Vitthal created a devotional atmosphere at the festival.

FOR ALL AGES

This child on his elder's shoulder showcases the festival's ability to bring generations together. It shows that the tradition is being passed down and continues to be relevant for all ages.

EMBRACING NATURE

The mud bath is the central element of the festival and speaks of the physical connection to the earth. By embracing the mud, participants symbolically pay obeisance to nature.

MUDDY MANIA

The bare-bodied and oil-smeared Gopals (refers to Lord Krishna) embody the playful spirit of Krishna.

PLAYFULNESS

The oil, an integral part of the ritual, forms a protective cover for the skin while playing in the mud.

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