Panaji, Oct 28 (IANS): Get ready to throw ripe red tomatoes at each other in the verdant green climes of Goa with the waves from the Arabian Sea in the background.
Seen on Discovery Channel and recent Bollywood film "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara", Spain's famous Tomatina festival is being brought to India for the first time in a big way, an organiser said here Friday.
The event, titled 'Sundown Tomatia Festival Goa-2011', is expected to attract hordes of tourists from India and abroad Nov 5 at a private seaside resort, Club West End, in north Goa, said Ginu Joseph, director of the Mumbai-based Chrysolite Media Pvt. Ltd.
"The festival is conceived by actor Rahul Raj Singh, his colleagues at Magnum Opus Films, with the support of Spain Consulate in Mumbai and Goa's tourism department," Joseph told IANS.
The 12-hour event will see more than 30,000 revelers in typical Spanish fashion lunging tomatoes at each other, jumping and dancing. Water jets will spray cool water from different sides, with the choicest of menus to keep the participants in healthy, fighting spirits, he said.
Though the number of truckloads will be finalised on the basis of the number of participants - currently estimated at over 30,000 - Joseph promised "there will be enough for all to enjoy the most memorable festival of their life".
The mega-event will be followed by a two-night musical extravaganza, the Sundown Beach Party at La Calypso resort on Baga Beach.
"A line-up of over a dozen national and international DJs will keep the crowds on their feet for two nights of beach party with dance and music and good food," Joseph said.
According to Joseph, the event will attract celebrities from Mumbai besides Indians and foreigners holidaying in Goa for the Diwali vacations, and the locals.
Asked what would follow next? "Probably a bull-fight festival in February!" said Joseph smilingly.
In September, the Karnataka government had declined to permit the tomatoes festival in Bangalore and Mysore after protests by social activists and citizens.