Photographs: Pilar Olivares/Reuters
The greatest shown on earth has begun in Rio. More than 2 million people are expected to flock the streets this year at the five-day extravagant carnival.
Rediff.com brings for you glimpses of the parade.
Rio de Janeiro has long been regarded as the Carnival Capital of the World.
The Rio Carnival, a wild five-day extravaganza that is celebrated as a profane event 40 days before Easter, is considered an act of farewell to the pleasures of the flesh.
Drawing millions of people in raucous celebrations, the event climaxes with various samba schools competing in the annual parade at the Sambadrome.
With the excitement and anticipation leading up to the Brazil 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Games, Rio Carnival 2014 promises to be one of the biggest and best carnivals to date!
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Rio Carnival, the wildest party ever!
Photographs: Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Members of Beija Flor Samba School perform during their parade at 2014 Brazilian Carnival at Sapucai Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Rio Carnival, the wildest party ever!
Photographs: Buda Mendes/Getty Images
A member of Beija Flor Samba Schoolperforms during their parade at 2014 Brazilian Carnival at Sapucai Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Rio Carnival, the wildest party ever!
Photographs: Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Members of Mangueira Samba School celebrate during their parade at 2014 Brazilian Carnival at Sapucai Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Rio Carnival, the wildest party ever!
Photographs: Buda Mendes/Getty Images
A reveller of the Grande Rio samba school participates in the annual Carnival parade
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Rio Carnival, the wildest party ever!
Photographs: Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Queen of Percussion Viviane Araujo of Salgueiro Samba School perform during their parade at 2014 Brazilian Carnival at Sapucai Sambadrome
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Rio Carnival, the wildest party ever!
Photographs: Buda Mendes/Getty Images
A member of Salgueiro Samba School performs during their parade at 2014 Brazilian Carnival at Sapucai Sambadrome
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Rio Carnival, the wildest party ever!
Photographs: Buda Mendes/Getty Images
A member of Beija Flor Samba School performs during their parade at 2014 Brazilian Carnival at Sapucai Sambadrome
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Rio Carnival, the wildest party ever!
Photographs: Buda Mendes/Getty Images
A member of Salgueiro Samba School performs during their parade at 2014 Brazilian Carnival at Sapucai Sambadrome
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Rio Carnival, the wildest party ever!
Photographs: Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Members of Mangueira Samba School celebrate during their parade at 2014 Brazilian Carnival at Sapucai Sambadrome
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Rio Carnival, the wildest party ever!
Photographs: Buda Mendes/Getty Images
A member of Salgueiro Samba School performs during their parade at 2014 Brazilian Carnival at Sapucai Sambadrome
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Rio Carnival, the wildest party ever!
Photographs: Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Members of Salgueiro Samba School perform during their parade at 2014 Brazilian Carnival at Sapucai Sambadrome
Click on NEXT to see more PHOTOS...
Rio Carnival, the wildest party ever!
Photographs: Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Members of Salgueiro Samba School perform during their parade at 2014 Brazilian Carnival at Sapucai Sambadrome
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Rio Carnival, the wildest party ever!
Photographs: Pilar Olivares/Reuters
Revellers of the Beija-Flor samba school participate in the annual Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome
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Rio Carnival, the wildest party ever!
Photographs: Pilar Olivares/Reuters
Revellers of the Salgueiro samba school participate in the annual Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome
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Rio Carnival, the wildest party ever!
Photographs: Sergio Moraes/Reuters
Revellers of the Beija-Flor samba school participate in the annual Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome
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Rio Carnival, the wildest party ever!
Photographs: Sergio Moraes/Reuters
Revellers of the Salgueiro samba school participate in the annual Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome
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Rio Carnival, the wildest party ever!
Photographs: Ricardo Moraes/Reuters
A reveller of the Grande Rio samba school participates in the annual Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome
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Rio Carnival, the wildest party ever!
Photographs: Ricardo Moraes/Reuters
Revellers of the Imperio da Tijuca samba school participate in the annual Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome
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Rio Carnival, the wildest party ever!
Photographs: Ricardo Moraes/Reuters
Revellers of the Grande Rio samba school participate in the annual Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome
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Rio Carnival, the wildest party ever!
Photographs: Ricardo Moraes/Reuters
Revellers of the Sao Clemente samba school participate in the annual Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome
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Rio Carnival, the wildest party ever!
Photographs: Ricardo Moraes/Reuters
Revellers from the Beija-Flor samba school participate in the annual Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome
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Rio Carnival, the wildest party ever!
Photographs: Sergio Moraes/Reuters
A reveller of the Mangueira samba school participates in the annual Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrom
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Rio Carnival, the wildest party ever!
Photographs: Sergio Moraes/Reuters
Revellers of the Beija-Flor samba school participate in the annual Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome
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