Location:
Throughout Goa
Highlights: Colorful parade, grand feasting and merry making
Duration: Almost a fortnight
One of the most celebrated events in Goa is the Shigmo festival. It is
celebrated all through Goa in a grand manner. The Shigmo festival in Goa
lasts almost a fortnight and is celebrated with much joy and fervor
among the Goans. The Shigmo festival is known as Shigmotsav in Goa. It
is similar to the festival known as Holi that is celebrated in north
India. People enjoy this festival by playing with colored powder and
water with friends and relatives.
The Shigmo festival is celebrated around March every year and the dates
vary according to the Hindu calendar that is based on lunar cycles. It
is celebrated just before the Catholic time period of lent during which
fasting and abstinence from alcohol and other vices is observed. Since
the period of lent lasts almost a month, the Shigmo festival is
celebrated to indulge in merry making "one last time". The
Shigmo festival starts with the appearance of the moon on the ninth day
and ends on the full moon day.
Shigmo festival is celebrated by organizing large fairs and parades in
Goa. Many small communities and groups of people come together and
prepare colorful tableaux. They dress up as colorful characters and take
part in the processions actively with much enthusiasm. Most of these
tableaux are based on mythology and many popular legends. Some tableaux
also depict important happenings depicted in the holy epics. It is
basically a time to enjoy to the hilt and indulge in true festive spirit
of Goa.
