Mardi Gras literally means ‘Fat Tuesday’ in French and is named after the custom of using up all the fat (as in meat) in the household before the beginning of Lent (a religious observance that begins of Ash Wednesday up to six weeks before Easter Sunday). There are numerous carnivals that take place during the period of Mardi Gras and each year each year in New Orleans, the most famous Mardi Gras parade is held. It usually takes place in the month of February.
