Shigmotsav

Shigmotsav, a spring festival celebrated by various communities in Goa, is known as Shigmo in Goa and Konkan. It is a festival filled with folk dances featuring traditional costumes. Shigmo takes place in Phalgun (February-March), the last month of the Hindu calendar, and includes the Indian festival of Holi. This vibrant and colorful festival, showcasing folk dances and music, attracts both locals and tourists from across the State. Float parades depicting scenes from Hindu mythology and culture are organized in major towns and cities, accompanied by Romta Mell processions and local dance performances. The Shigmo festival is celebrated extensively in villages and rural areas of Goa for over a fortnight, with different days designated for celebrations in various regions. The festival commences with Naman, the invocation of local folk deities on the village stage, accompanied by the beats of percussion instruments like ghumat, dhol, mhadle, and tashe played by men. The romta mell procession moves from one village to another in a long and winding manner. The festivities include traditional colorful costumes, mythological displays, painted faces, and various folk dances such as Ghodemodini (equestrian warriors' dance), Gopha, and Phugadi performed by different communities. This festival is a reflection of Goan culture and heritage.