Team Herald
PANJIM: The annual carnival float parades will commence from February 28, while Shigmo parades will begin in the State from March 15.
Director of Tourism Kedar Naik on Friday announced the dates of the most awaited
calendar events.
Naik told media persons that the carnival parades will be organised from February 28 to March 4, 2025, offering five days of colourful celebrations and float parades
across Goa. A grand curtain-raiser will be held in Porvorim on February 28 which will set the tone for the event.
Parades will also be held in Panjim on March 1, Margao on March 2, Vasco on March 3 and Mapusa and Morjim on March 4. This vibrant festival promises to attract tourists and locals alike with its lively atmosphere, he said.
The prize plus infrastructure money allotted for Panjim, Margao, Vasco and Mapusa Carnival organising committee is Rs 27.35 lakh whereas that for Porvorim was Rs 17.35 lakh and Rs 14.25 lakh will be allotted to the Morjim Carnival organising committee.
Naik further informed that the Shigmo festival, a grand 15-day celebration of Goa’s vibrant folk traditions, will be held from March 15 to 29, with colourful float parades organised across 19 centres. The festivities will commence from Ponda on March 15, followed by Margao on March 16, Mandrem and Quepem on March 17, Shiroda and Curchorem on March 18, and Dharbandora on March 19. Calangute will host the parade on March 20, followed by Vasco on March 21 and Panjim on March 22. Parades in Mapusa and Sanguem are scheduled for March 23, while Canacona will celebrate on March 24 and Pernem on March 25. The celebrations continue in Valpoi and Cuncolim on March 26, Bicholim on March 27, Sankhali on March 28, and will culminate in Porvorim on March 29.
These parades will highlight Goa’s rich cultural heritage, featuring traditional music, dance, and artistic performances, offering locals and tourists an unforgettable experience, Naik said.
A decision to increase the prize money for the centres namely Quepem, Bicholim, Valpoi, Canacona, Curchorem, Sanguem, Pernem, Cuncolim, Sankhali, Dharbandora, Shiroda, and Calangute, by Rs 50,000 was also taken during the meeting chaired by Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte.
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti will be celebrated on February 19 at multiple locations including Panjim, Margao, Mapusa, Vasco, Ponda, Sankhali, Porvorim, and Bicholim. To support these celebrations, a one-time grant of Rs 5 lakh will be allocated to various committees in various cities to facilitate the events and ensure their success, informed Naik.
Representatives of different municipal councils of different festival centres, representatives of the police, traffic cell and fire and emergency services and others were part of the meeting.