In order to  promote local festivity and to preserve State’s rich cultural heritage Minister for Tourism Shri Rohan Khaunte launched a three-day State-level grand festival Chikhal Kalo (Mud Festival of Goa) at a function organized by the Department of Tourism at Marcela today.

The 3 days Chikhal Kalo  kick started from today at Shree Devki Krishna temple in Marcela. The traditional Chikhal Kalo game will be played  on June 30, 2023 at 11 am and will be followed by the chanting of devotional songs during the Deity’s Pooja in the afternoon. Along with the Chikhal Kalo festival, visitors will have the opportunity to experience the gastronomic culture of Goa with traditional Goan delicacies.

Minister for Tourism  Shri Rohan Khaunte said that the Government  strives for the promotion of Tourism in the State and as such we promote local festivities like Chikhal

Kalo, Sao Joao and so on to preserve our own rich cultural heritage. The decision to organize this unique Chikhal Kalo at the State level in Marcel village is to promote new  avenue of tourism in Goa.

The  Minister said Goa is not only confined to beach and sands Goa is more than this. We are culturally rich and needs to showcased to the world. He appreciated the cooperation of Devasthan Committee for their cooperation in organizing this event. Organization of such events will change the perspective of those who think  Goan tourism as sun, sand, and beaches. He appealed to project Goa in the right manner.

The Minister further said that Goa has been recognised by the world as the tourist destination. People attract towards Goa due to its  scenic beauty nature, its flora and fauna. Apart from this Goa has rich cultural heritage and Government  intends to promote spiritual and cultural tourism along with health and education in the State besides focussing on areas which includes, eco-tourism, adventure tourism, and sports tourism, revealed the Minister.

The Minister  speaking further  highlighted the importance of reviving local festivals so as to promote tourism in the state. Organization of this kind of festivals will encourage  tourists who come down to Goa from all over the world will accustom themselves to our customs, traditions, and daily life.

Minister  for Art and Culture, Shri Govind Gaude in his address said that Government has laid thrust on promotion of tourism in the State in a big way. Thanking the Minister for Tourism, Shri Gaude said the Government has initiated steps to make Chikhal Kalo as State festival enabling it to reach across the globe. Steps would be taken to develop those places from Priol Constituency as tourists places hereafter, he added.

Earlier a devotional music programme was performed by Shri Devanand Malvankar, Actor-Singer, Mrs. Priyanka Raikar, Singer and Indian Classical Singer and Shri Rahul Deshpande, national award winner.

Deputy Director, Shri Rajesh Kale, President of Devasthan Shri Girish Dharwadkar and others were present on the occasion.