Shigmo: The Spring Festival of Goa

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Shigmotsav is a popular festival in Goa. The Hindus celebrate this 14 days long festival, the Goan Hindu traditions and mythology is showcased in this festival. Shigmotsav is celebrated to mark the farewell of winter. The Shigmo or Shigmotsav is celebrated in the month of Phalguna (March), it is the biggest festival for Hindus in Goa. In Goa, the land of temples, Shigmo begins with 'Naman' or collective obeisance of villagers from 9th full moon day. During all these days, they avoid non-vegetarian food and alcohol drinks. From 11th to 15th moon day, villagers dress up in colorful dresses and embark with a festive mood along with multi-colored flags, beating drums and blowing flutes to gather at the village temples, dance and sing various folk songs in the temple court yard to the beat of the drums.
-Ghode-Modni
A eye-catching display of Goan Hindu ethnicity and mythology comprising of street dancers, traditional folk and floats depicting the themes from ancient Hindu scriptures participate in the competition held to delight the crowd and win prizes. By the time it is dusk, artist display various kinds of dances like Ghode-morni (horse dance), Talgadi, Lamp dance, Gopha, Rommatamel, Fugdi, etc. are performed by the villagers as part of the festivity. Dhol and Taso are drums which are carried as a soundtrack to the songs and dances performed. The grand finale is marked by meticulously designed and beautifully adorned floats. These parades are held on a lesser scale in the cities of Goa in Ponda, Margao, Vasco, Panaji, Mapusa and more.
-Parade Floats
Like each festival in India, Shigmo too has a history behind its celebration. In earlier days, Shigmo festival was celebrated to honour the homecoming warriors who left their families back home at the end of Dusshera to fight the invaders. In order to welcome them, people performed various traditional folk dances and enacted various scenes from ancient stories making it huge celebration.

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