Goa is all geared up to celebrate its popular and vibrant spring festival, Shigmo or Shishirotsava. However, amid the fears of COVID-19, the state government has restricted the celebrations to only three places. This year, parades will take place only at Ponda, Mapusa and Panaji. The Shigmo festival usually begins with the Ponda parade. Reportedly, the parades at Panaji and Mapusa will happen on April 3 and 4. The date of the Ponda Parade is yet to be decided. Read on to know more.
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Shigmo Festival 2021 Restricted To Ponda, Mapusa and Panaji
Shigmo is a Goan festival that welcomes the month of spring, bidding goodbye to winter. The Shigmo festivities take place in the month of Falguna with a lot of pomp and fervour. The celebrations involve parades, street dances and folk performances. People taking part in the parades get dressed as characters of regional mythology.
Shigmo is one of the most significant festivals of Goa and both locals and tourists take part in it. This time the festival will take place with precautions and it will be restricted to only Ponda, Mapusa and Panaji. The Tourism Minister has also appealed to the people to wear masks and maintain social distancing. Also, when in Goa, you must try out its unique local drinks.
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Goa’s Carnival Festival Took Place With Restrictions
There are two types of Shigmo festivals, Dhakto Shigmo and the Vhadlo Shigmo. The farmers and rural people celebrate Dhakto Shigmo. Vhadlo Shigmo is celebrated by everyone. Goa’s Carnival Festival also happened from February 13 to 16, 2021 with some restrictions. The theme of the year was COVID Vaccine Awareness. The fascinating float parades were still a part of the festival. Many local tourists cheered the revellers during the Carnival. A lot of people wore masks at the Carnival, and thousands were distributed for free. The festivities prove that even amid the trying times, Goa is holding on to its spirit. The pandemic has not ended it. But let us not lose our hopes, as good days will surely come soon. For now, enjoy this amazing virtual tour of Goa from the comfort of your home:
