Panaji : Shigmo is Goa’s answer to Holi and the state’s biggest spring festival. A spectacular 14-day display of Goan ethnicity and mythology will be on show as the annual Shigmo parade takes center-stage from March 27 to April 10 in various parts of Goa.

Mr. Dilip Parulekar, Minister for Tourism for Goa, said that this year Shigmo will be celebrated on a larger scale. “There will be attractive decor, lively parades, excellent food, music and revelry all over the state during this time. It is a must-visit event for all tourists. Our focus is on festival and cultural tourism and Shigmo is definitely very high on our priority list.”

In his welcome address, Mr. Shrinivas Dempo, Chairman of Panaji Shigmotsav Samiti, said that Shigmo fulfills the aim of the committee to preserve and promote the rich Goan art and culture. Attired in traditional costumes, various groups consisting of women and men dancers will give vibrant performances, interspersed with small groups that move along the route with their traditional Goan drums.

Shigmo in Goa is essentially a festival of the masses, though it is celebrated under different names and in different ways in various parts of India. It is the festival of 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 the ninth moon day to full-moon day. During these days, they are to abstain from non-vegetarian food and all intoxicants.

Tradional Shigmotsav elements like the taranga, ghudis and lalkhi will be placed at various locations including Porvorim Junction (near Sai Service) , DIVJA Circle below Mandovi Bridge, Kadamba circle, near Panjim Bus stand, Caculo Island circle, Church Square Circle, and Circle next to Vinanti Restaurant. Besides this, the traditional Shigmotsav element of bonderam will also be placed across the entire stretch from DIVJA circle to Kala Academy.

The Samiti will also give our prize money to participants. A total of Rs 4,00,000 will be given out at each centre. The prize structure is attached.

Schedule for Shigmo Float Parade 2013

Location Date

Ponda 04/04/2013

Valpoi 29/03/2013

Pernem 05/04/2013

Curchorem 30/03/2013

Panjim 06/04/2013

Sanguem 31/03/2013

Mapusa 07/04/2013

Margao 01/04/2013

Vasco 08/04/2013

Quepem  02/04/2013

Bicholim 09/04/2013

Cuncolim 03/04/2013

Sanquelim  10/04/2013 Canacona