Goa state will witness shigmotsav celebration this year in the month of March, the floats will begin from 7th March and will conclude on 20th, according to the information the The Shigmo parades will commence with Ponda on March 7 followed by other towns. The float parade, besides cultural programs, will be held on March 14 in Panaji.
The Panaji shigmotsav committee is in the process of finalizing its programme for the event. Mangaldas Naik, working president, Panaji Shigmotsav committee, told that a meeting was held on Thursday, while a second meeting will be held on Friday as they could not finalize artistes for the cultural programme. The Panaji Shigmotsav committee, every year, invites artistes from Maharashtra, who are mostly well-known Marathi theatre or film actors for its cultural programs. Naik said that one name that has cropped up during discussion is that of Sayaji Shinde, a well-known film actor. Nothing has been finalized as yet, he added.
Our focus is to preserve and promote the rich Goan art and culture and showcase it to the world. There will be lively décor, colorful parades and various traditional dance groups consisting of women and men dancers will give vibrant performances..” said Mr. Dilip Parulker, Minister of Tourism, Goa.
Goa tourism has tentatively finalized dates for the float parades to be held across the state. The tourism department contributes financially to the celebration and has been promoting Shigmotsav as a part of its calender of events over the last few years. According to the available information the tentative dates of the float parades are Margao (March 8), Curchorem (March 9), Valpoi (March 10), Bicholim/Dharbandora (March 11), Vasco (March 13), Panaji (March 14), Mapusa ( March 15), Pernem (March 16), Quepem (March 17), Cuncolim/Shiroda (March 18), Sanguem (March 19) and Canacona/Tivim (March 20).
About Shigmotsav
SHIGMO is similar to the “HOLI” festival of colours celebrated across India. It is the farewell to winter celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Phalguna (March), the last month of the Hindu calendar. In Goa, the land of temples, Shigmo begins with Naman or collective obeisance of villagers from 9th moon day to full-moon day. During all these days, they are to avoid non-vegetarian food and all intoxicants. The 5th day of the SHIGMO is celebrated as Rang Panchami “HOLI” the symbol of rejoicing, when people throw it on each other as a sign of full-hearted greeting.
In this celebration the groups of people dressed in traditional costumes, from various folk groups consisting of women and men dancers give vibrant performances of various dances. These are combined with ROMATA-MELL groups that move along the route with their traditional Goan drums. The grand finale is always provided by artistically designed and beautifully lit up floats. The parades are also held on a lesser scale in Ponda, Vasco, Margao and Mapusa besides Panaji which has major attractions compared to other cities. According to another MYTH the festival is traditionally celebrated to honor the homecoming of the warriors who had left their homes and families at the end of Dusshera to fight the invaders.
This mesmerizing celebration is the Goan farewell to the winters is definitely not something to miss out on.
