Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is one of the popular holiday of United States. It is always celebrated on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

Mardi Gras is Christian holiday and a cultural carnival. It is celebrated in many countries, especially in Roman Catholic countries. The origin of Mardi Gras is medieval Europe. It is also known as Fat Tuesday. Its celebration is started on or after Christian feasts of the Epiphany and ending on the day before Ash Wednesday.

Mardi Gras is a French word and it means Fat Tuesday. On the occasion of Mardi Gras, people eat rich and fatty foods before the fasting of Lent festival.

In the countries like England Mardi Gras is also known as Shrove Tuesday. Shrove is derived from the word "shrive" which means confess.

History

Mardi Gras is originated in ancient Rome. It has an interesting history. Long before the Christian era, young men roam in the streets making merry in the winter Saturnalia. After some centuries, it is organized as merry midwinter holiday season. Later the entertainment continues with Shrove Tuesday.

Mardi Gras falls between 3 February and 9 March exactly 46 days before Easter.

Celebration

Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday is the last day before Lent. It is also known as Fat Tuesday. It is celebrated with great Enthusiasm and Gaiety in United States. The Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, in Louisiana, is typical of the masquerades and dancing in the streets that take place in other parts of the United States before the long festival of Lent. Traditional Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans spotlight the King of the Carnival and the Monarch of Merriment, as well as Comus, the God of Revelry. Many people dress up in eye-catching costumes and a spectacular ball is held. Debutantes are introduced at the Ball Tableau as a formal introduction to society.

Public Life

Mardi Gras is not a federal holiday in United States but it is a holiday in some states like Louisiana, Baldwin, Alabama etc. The government authorities of any municipality or country in Mississippi can declare this event as a holiday.