Goa is all set to celebrate Shigmo 2026, one of the State’s most vibrant cultural festivals, showcas ing its rich folk traditions through music, dance, and artistic expressions. Announcing the dates, centres, and other key de tails of Shigmo 2026, Di rector of Tourism Kedar Naik said that the Shigmo will be held from March 5 to 18, with colourful float parades organised across 19 centres in the State. The festivities will commence in Ponda on March 5. The festivities will be held in Calangute on March 6, fol lowed by Panjim (March 7), Mapusa (March 8), Mandrem (March 9), Bicholim (March 10), Sanquelim (March 11), Shiroda and Sanguem (March 12), Dharbandora and Cun colim (March 13), Margao (March 14), Porvorim and Vasco (March 15), Valpoi and Curchorem (March 16), Quepem and Canacona (March 17), and Pernem (March 18). Naik informed that the Department provides each com mittee with the two types of grants for Shigmo celebrations every year i.e. infrastructure support and prize money. This year, an additional enhancement of Rs 1 lakh in infra structure assistance will be provided to further strengthen arrangements at festival centres. It was also emphasised that parade routes are to be fi nalised by the respective Shigmotsav Committees with prior permissions, in consultation with the Traffic Cell, to ensure smooth traffic movement and public convenience. Committees have been instructed to strictly adhere to all prescribed rules and regulations. A new set of guidelines for Romtamel groups has been framed, including a maximum team comprising 150 par ticipants. The Shigmo processions should commence by 4 pm and conclude within the time-limit of the government, Naik said. Earlier, representatives of various municipal councils from the festival centres, along with officials from the Goa Police Department, Traffic Cells, Fire and Emergency Services, Assistant Director (Tourism) Jayesh Kankonkar and other departments concerned attended the meeting to discuss the organisation of the Shigmo float parades across the State
Goa’s 14-day Shigmo spectacle to kick off from March 5
