Thousands of revelers thronged colorful and exuberant parades in New Orleans this weekend in the countdown to the Mardi Gras 2013 carnival. Mardi Gras, which falls this Tuesday, is the day before the Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.

The carnival is a season of revelry, parades, balls, eating king cake, spread roughly over the period from Three Kings Day to Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras or Carnival has its roots in pagan culture and spring fertility rites dating back thousands of years, blended with Christian practices.

Millions throng the congested streets the French Quarter in New Orleans and other centers of celebrations in Alabama and Louisiana during the carnival days. Several parades with huge floats are a major attraction in the carnival and people throw beads, masks and small toys to the spectators. Parades are held each day of the carnival but the largest and best are reserved for the last five days before the Mardi Gras.

Krewes, the groups that hold the parades and balls, compete with each other in rolling the biggest and most splendid floats and celebrations. Revelers, dancers, merrymakers and musicians stroll in colorful and mythical costumes and masks tossing the colorful beads and other ‘throws’ in the parade.

Mardi Gras 2013 celebrations in New Orleans Saturday saw one of the biggest floats ever. The 330-foot long super float built by the Krewe of Endymion held more than 200 riders in eight sections.

The super spectacle claimed to be the largest in history had to be separated into two as it could not negotiate a turn during its parade Saturday. The $1.2 million float was rejoined after taking the turn and ended its journey at the Superdome, where "American Idol" alum Kelly Clarkson performed at the first major concert of the Mardi Gras eve. It was the first major event at the Superdome since the Super Bowl power blackout.

Kelly Clarkson was the celebrity grand marshal of the Krewe of Endymion.

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Mardi Gras 2013 Parade In Photos
Singer Clarkson throws beads as she and members of the Krewe of Endymion parade down Orleans Avenue during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana. Reuters
Mardi Gras 2013 Parade In Photos
Revelers reach for throws during a Mardi Gras parade along Government Street in downtown Mobile, Alabama in this handout photo. Reuters
Mardi Gras 2013 Parade In Photos
James Stucker laughs as he waits for the Krewe of Endymion to parade down Orleans Avenue during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana Reuters
Mardi Gras 2013 Parade In Photos
Singer Clarkson throws beads as she and members of the Krewe of Endymion parade down Orleans Avenue during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana Reuters
Mardi Gras 2013 Parade In Photos
Members of the Krewe of Endymion parade down Orleans Avenue during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana. Reuters
Mardi Gras 2013 Parade In Photos
A dog owner walks her dog to The Krewe of Barkus parade in the French Quarter during the Mardi Gras 2013 celebration in New Orleans. Reuters
Mardi Gras 2013 Parade In Photos
Members of the Krewe of Endymion parade down Orleans Avenue during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana Reuters
Mardi Gras 2013 Parade In Photos
Members of the Krewe of Endymion parade down Orleans Avenue during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana. Reuters
Mardi Gras 2013 Parade In Photos
Revelers catch beads as members of the Krewe of Endymion parade down Orleans Avenue during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana. Reuters
Mardi Gras 2013 Parade In Photos
A reveler screams for beads as members of the Krewe of Endymion parade down Orleans Avenue during the weekend before Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana. Reuters
Mardi Gras 2013 Parade In Photos
Members of the crew from the Sparta parade throw beads to the crowd during the Mardi Gras 2013 celebration in New Orleans Reuters
Mardi Gras 2013 Parade In Photos
Dogs in The Krewe of Barkus parade walk the French Quarter during the Mardi Gras 2013 celebration in New Orleans. Reuters
Mardi Gras 2013 Parade In Photos
A dog in The Krewe of Barkus parade is pushed around the French Quarter during the Mardi Gras 2013 celebration in New Orleans. Reuters
Mardi Gras 2013 Parade In Photos
A man riding a parade float dispenses Mobile's traditional Mardi Gras "throws," in Mobilein this handout photo. Reuters