Shigmo: The Festival of Colours as Celebrated in Goa

While the core legend of Holika prevails as the basis of of the festival, Shigmo is also particular in its celebrations to commemorate the homecoming of warriors who are said to have left to fight invaders after the period of Dussehra (during autum) and returned during Holi (onset of spring).

In the Old Conquest areas, places that were under Portuguese rule for a long time, the festival of Dhakto Shigmo begins 5 days before the full moon day of the month of phalgun and ends on the full moon day, purnima.

In the New Conquest areas, places that were under Portuguese rule for a shorter time, the festival of Vadlo Shigmo begins on the full moon day and continues for 5 days.

The Shigmo celebrations can be seen as a fusion between the Hindu festival of Holi and a community carnival.

The festival starts after the village deity is bathed and dressed in saffron. A feast is held after offering food to the deities.

They carry dhwajas, which are red-spotted tower-like structures. Music,  with drums and flutes, call on to a gathering at the village temples and people dance in the temple courtyard.

At dusk, large parades are also held in cities like Vasco, Ponda, Margao and more. 

Participants in the parade dress up as various mythological characters – from gods to demons to spirits – and participate in competitions.

...traditional Fugdi and Rommatamel dances… 

The festivities continue during all fourteen days, with the streets reverberating with music from the dhol, conch shells, flutes and more.

It isn’t possible to watch all the celebrations during the festival as a lot of them happen in interior villages at night.

On the last day of the festival, the idol of Mallikarjun, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, is taken in the procession on a palanquin while devotees smear each other with colour.

The festival comes to an end a sacred bath called Mad Davarap. A spirit named Gadepadap is believed to enter the dancers.