10 most spectacular carnivals in the world, Goa at 10

New Delhi: February is also known as the Carnival month, as several major carnivals take place during this time. People all over the world love to celebrate festivals and special occasions together and a Carnival is often the best way to do it. As one of the world's oldest form of community celebration, carnivals combine art form that embraces many aspects of artistic expression: costume parades, balls, music performances and delicious food. There are numerous carnivals in the world, but only a small number of them are widely known and attract participants from around the globe. Below is a list of top 10 most spectacular carnivals in the world: 1. The Carnival of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Rio's Carnaval is the biggest and most famous public party on the planet. The legendary samba spirit of Brazil is demonstrated best by the bandas – street parades led by drummers and singers – climaxing with the spectacular samba school showdown in the Sambodrome. 2. The Venice Carnival, Italy The Carnevale Venezia gets the party season in style. Get your freak on, or at least a mask, for one of Europe's most extravagant events. This isn't Glastonbury, however. There may be much fancy dress, but being Venice, it's really all very civilized. Get your hands on a ticket for mega masked ball, the Gran Ballo delle Maschere. 3. The Nice Carnival, France Comparable in grandeur to the Brazilian and Venetian Carnival, the Nice Carnival is held annually in February in Nice, France. It attracts tourists from all over the world on the French Riviera through its parades, fireworks, live music and shows. Over 1 million people gather in Nice during the Carnival in order to the dancing parades. The most part of the event takes place in Promenade des Anglais, along the shore. The theme for 2013 was “King of the five continents” when a giant, colorful parades took place day and night. 4. The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival, Spain Characterized by costumes, cross-dressing and beauty pageants, this carnival has a main attraction point the port area and the pageant for deciding the carnival queen, a big televised spectacle that lasts for several hours. There beautiful woman dressed in fabulous costumes display on a specially constructed 1,200 metre square stage. After the queen is selected, the streets are flooded by hundreds of musicians and dancing crowds. Tenerife prouds itself with is as being the most flamboyant and extravagant of all carnivals. 5. The Carnival of Binche, Belgium Clown-like performers known as Gilles, wearing weird wax masks and wielding sticks used to ward off spirits, parade through the town of Binche. Be warned that, as part of the fun, the Gilles chuck oranges at spectators, but you're not allowed to throw them back, which doesn't seem fair. 6. The Carnival of Berlin, Germany As every year, Berlin is celebration the capital's multicultural spirit through the Carnival of Cultures, held for 2013from May 17-20. The street parade will take place on Sunday, May 19, 2013. Over 1,5 million visitors will pay tribute to Berlin's ethnic diversity and the peaceful coexistence of its different cultures with this fun summer festival. 7. The Carnival of New Orleans, USAAlso known as Shrove Tuesday, in French Mardi Gras means ‘Fat Tuesday'. While we go crazy before Lent by making pancakes, the people of New Orleans get drunk and dress up (or strip off) in a celebration of their Creole heritage. 8. The Carnival of Cologne, Germany The “fifth season of the year” as Carnival is called, begins on November 11th at 11:11 AM. A week-long street festival, also called “the crazy days”, takes place between the Fat Thursday and ends on Ash Wednesday. The “crazy days” of Carnival are celebrated with parties on the streets, in public squares and in pubs. But the highlight of the street carnival is Rose Monday with the march of “Cologne's Dreigestirn” or Triumvirate – the Prince, the Peasant and the Maiden, who pay a large sum of money for their privileges – in the kilometre-long Rosenmontag procession going through the city. 9. The Carnival of Basel, Switzerland One of the most exciting festivals in Europe, is held in June when art fans gather in Basel in order to take part in art festivals, exhibitions and trade shows. The festival is famous for the ancient masked carnival, or Fasnacht, a three-day affair starting on the Monday after Mardi Gras. It is listed as one of the top fifty local festivities in Europe. There is a clear separation between the spectators and the participants, as the participates are wearing costumes and masks and it is considered highly inappropriate to identify oneself. 10. The Carnival of Goa, India Celebrated since the 18th century, the festival was introduce by the Portuguese people who ruled over Goa over 500 years. The carnival is held in February for three days and nights when the streets come alive with lights and color. The last day is the most fun, as it also includes fruit and vegetable carving contests and salad dressing competitions.