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throng Shigmo festival in Ponda
by Devraj
Ponda (Goa): Known for its beaches and an exotic atmosphere, Goa has always been the first choice of any tourist visiting from across the country or world. These days the people in Goa are having a gala time participating in an ongoing Shigmo festival, which began recently in Ponda. Thousands of natives and domestic and foreign tourists have participated in the inaugural ceremonies of festival, which started last week on Thursday in Ponda city, popularly known as the cultural hub of Goa.
Being celebrated in the villages, the "Shigmotsav" or Shigmo, a grand
five-day festival of colours, is also considered as the spring festival
of Goa. Its celebrations begin with the Holi, the festival of colours
celebrated across the country on Thursday. The festival commemorates the
homecoming of the warriors who had left their homes and families at the
end of Dussera to fight the invaders. Ripening of the winter crop is also
included as a reason for the festivities. By the time it was dusk, artists
displayed the martial dances like 'Ghode-morni' or the horse dance. Floats
depicting the themes from ancient Hindu scriptures came to delight the
crowd. Meanwhile, the visitors were enthralled at the grand celebrations.
"It's really good to watch people enjoying and having a great time and
fun," said Sarah, a tourist from England. One of the features of the ceremonies
was a cavalcade, which was carried out into the streets of Ponda in Goa.
And the people participated in it while performing the 'Rommatamel' and
'Fugdi' dances. "Shigmo festival is celebrated by villages after farming.
Now, we have introduced some new features that include some competitions.
In this, people from different religions participate and show the world
that we are one," said Ravi Naik, GPCC President and Member of Local Assembly
of Ponda. Interestingly, it is only after the Shigmo festival commencement
in Ponda city that the celebrations around the town and other parts of
Goa start off with a bang.
-Mar
19, 2006
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