Why? Because that’s when the quaint village of Marcel comes alive with Chikal Kalo—Goa’s beloved mud festival that’s equal parts chaos and culture.
Held every year during the peak of the monsoon season, Chikal Kalo isn’t your typical rain-soaked party. It’s a joyful, no-shoes, all-heart celebration of heritage, community, and letting go—literally rolling in the mud with strangers and loving every minute of it.
This year, it's going to take place from the 5th of July - 7th of July 2025
What Is Chikal Kalo?
Chikal Kalo (which translates to “mud play”) is an annual festival celebrated in the Devki Krishna temple complex in Marcel, North Goa. Rooted in mythology, the festival commemorates Lord Krishna’s childhood in Vrindavan, where he and his friends would frolic in the mud during the rains.
But beyond its mythological roots, the festival is a living, breathing expression of Goan rural culture, bringing locals and visitors together in a kind of joyful, unfiltered abandon rarely seen today.
What Happens at the Festival?
Think of it as a cross between a sports day, a Holi celebration, and a giant mud spa. Dressed in traditional loincloths (langots), men and young boys slide, wrestle, play games, and dance in the mud. Women and families cheer from the sidelines, some joining in, others capturing the moment on their phones.
Some of the classic activities include:
Human pyramids (à la Dahi Handi)
Wrestling games in slush
Tug of war—mud edition
Traditional singing and rhythmic drum beats
A shared vegetarian meal served in banana leaves post-play
The event is non-competitive, focused entirely on bonding, laughter, and reconnecting with nature.
More Than Just Play: Why It Matters
While Chikal Kalo may look like wild fun (and it is), the festival also speaks to deeper themes:
Reconnecting with the earth in a time of increasing urban disconnection
Celebrating body positivity—everyone’s covered in mud; no one’s judging
Encouraging intergenerational bonding—elders, teens, and kids all take part
Preserving oral traditions, folk music, and agricultural rituals
In an age of curated holidays and expensive retreats, this is a raw, immersive experience that heals in ways spa weekends never could.
When and Where to Go
Where: Devki Krishna Temple, Marcel, North Goa
When: Annually during Ashadh Ekadashi (usually in July, depending on the Hindu calendar)
This year from the 5th July - 7th July 2025
Who can join: Locals and respectful tourists are welcome—just bring a change of clothes, an open mind, and zero expectations of staying clean
What to Carry
Extra set of clothes + towel
A waterproof phone pouch
Flip flops or shoes you’re okay losing
Rehydration salts or a thermos of lemon water
Curiosity and willingness to get dirty (literally)
In a travel culture obsessed with “hidden gems,” Chikal Kalo is the kind of authentic, joyous chaos you don’t find on TripAdvisor lists. It’s not a commercial event or a staged cultural experience—it’s real, muddy, multi-sensory magic.
So, if you’re planning a Goa trip this monsoon, skip the generic itineraries and consider stepping into something unforgettable. Because sometimes, the best memories begin in the messiest places.