FESTIVALS IN GOA

Among the many and various colorful feasts and festivals that are celebrated in Goa, the Goa Carnival is the most eagerly awaited event.

Carnival In Goa, Goa Carnival Tour, and Goa Festival The 'Carnival’ is exclusive and unique to Goa, and was introduced by the Portuguese who ruled over Goa for over five hundred years.

Although, the three-day festival is primarily celebrated by Christians, it has also absorbed Hindu tradition revelry, western dance forms, and turned into a pageantry of sorts. Though it started as a celebration enjoyed only by the local population, it has today crossed the state frontiers and attracts thousands of people from all over the country.

The carnival is held in February for three days and nights, when the legendary king Momo takes over the state and the streets come alive with music and color. Then begins the weeklong event, which is a time of unbridled festivity and merry-making, which has been celebrated since the 18th Century.

The carnival is meant to be a feasting-drinking-merrymaking orgy just before the austere 40 days of Lent. Huge parades are organized throughout the state with bands, dances and floats out all night on the streets, and grand balls held in the evenings. The carnival concludes with the famous red-and-black dance held by the Clube National in Panjim on the final day.

The origins and nature of the carnival can be traced to the hedonistic feasts of ancient Rome and Greece. These carnivals started in the Spanish and Portugese colonies, and gradually became known for their singing, dancing and drinking. The carnival is presided over by King Momo, who on the opening day orders his subjects to party. Hotel bookings must be done in advance for carnival as the festival attracts thousands of tourists.

Tour to Carnival The word Carnival (Carnival in Portuguese) is derived from a Latin word meaning ‘to take away meat’ and is an expression of the 40-day period of fasting of Lent, during which abstinence from meat is a rule.

The carnival is not celebrated anywhere else in India and was in decline even in Goa in the last few years of Portuguese rule. Its revival with the Liberation of Goa, and a boost to its tourism was therefore welcome. From being almost on the brink of decline, this three day festival of gay abandon and riotous revelry now attracts thousands of tourists to Goa from all over India every year!

Shigmotsav or Shigmo

The Shigmotsav or Shigmo is a prominent Hindu festival in Goa. The majority of population of Goa is Hindu which explains the ardor with which the variety of the Hindu festivals is celebrated in Goa. Shigmotsav or Shigmo is a festival of colors and the celebrations extends to five days. Shigmotsav or Shigmo is celebrated in the villages with gusto and has a lot of similarity with Holi or Spring festival. The celebrations assume a big proportion in Panaji, Mapusa, Vasco-da-Gama and Margao.

During Shigmotsav or Shigmo, a parade dance is performed by the traditional folk dancers who are joined by the street dancers. The dancers carry hand-crafted floats that have mythological and religious significance. Shigmotsav or Shigmo is celebrated in March. The time of the celebration coincides with the Carnival. There are two varieties of the festival, the Dhakto Shigmo and the Vodlo Shigmo. Dhakto Shigmo is celebrated by the agriculturists, the labor class and the rural population. Dhakto Shigmo means ‘small Shigmo' which implies that the celebrations are on a smaller scale. The Vodlo Shigmo or the ‘big Shigmo' is jointly celebrated and everybody participates in the festivities irrespective of class. Vodlo Shigmo begins with Holi Purnima and extends to five days.

The festivities associated with Shigmotsav or Shigmo include the singing of the ritualistic choral songs and dances that are performed amidst the village gathering. The dance is accompanied by two types of songs, the Naman and the Jot. Dol and drums feature prominently in the performances. Shigmotsav or Shigmo is wrapped up with a collective bath.

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