The Shigmotsav festival is among the most popular festivals in Goa. It is quite similar to the celebration of Holi, which is celebrated throughout India. The Hindus celebrate the festival for close to two weeks. The Goan Hindu traditions are on full display during the duration of this festival. It is dedicated to mark the start of Spring while bidding farewell to winter. During the many days of the festival, the Hindus usually abstain from non-vegetarian food as well as alcohol. The festival was traditionally celebrated as Spring’s biggest festival. It also honored the homecoming of the warriors who had bid farewell to their homes and families just after the end of Dusshera to fight the invaders.
This famous Hindu festival is characterized by the right amount of colours, music, dance, and floats. The festival authentically depicts the Goan culture through elaborate folk performances by local men and women who never tire when performing dance sequences in huge processions which accompany a parade.