Shimga, or Shishirotsava is a spring festival celebrated in the Indian state of Goa, where it is one of the major festivals of the

Hindu Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...

community. It is also celebrated by Konkani diaspora and Indian festival of

Holi Holi (), also known as the Festival of Colours, the Festival of Spring, and the Festival of Love,The New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998) p. 874 "Holi /'həʊli:/ noun a Hindu spring festival ...". is an ancient Hindu religious festival ...

is part of it.

Etymology

The Konkani word ''Śigmō'' comes from the

Prakrit The Prakrits (; sa, prākṛta; psu, 𑀧𑀸𑀉𑀤, ; pka, ) are a group of vernacular Middle Indo-Aryan languages that were used in the Indian subcontinent from around the 3rd century BCE to the 8th century CE. The term Prakrit is usu ...

word ''Suggimaho'' and the

Sanskrit Sanskrit (; attributively , ; nominally , , ) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cultural diffusion ...

''Sugrishmaka''.

Shigmo now

In recent years the state government has supported public Shigmo parades consisting of traditional folk and street dancers and elaborately built floats depicting scenes from regional mythology and religious scenes. Meanwhile, Shigmo festivals also continue in various rural parts of Goa, spanning over a fortnight, with different days earmarked for celebrations in different areas. This festival is celebrated around March each year. It is linked to the Hindu lunar calendar, hence its date according to the Gregorian calendar varies.

Variations

There are two variants of Shigmo festival: ''Dhakto Shigmo'' ("small Shigmo") and ''Vhadlo Shigmo'' ("big Shigmo"). ''Dhakto Shigmo'' is generally celebrated by farmers, the labour class and the rural population, while ''Vhadlo Shigmo'' is of greater consequence and is celebrated by everyone together.

Timing

''Dhakto Shigmo'' begins some five days before the full-moon day of the Indian lunar month of

Phalguna Phalguna ( sa, फाल्गुन ) is a month of the Hindu calendar. In India's national civil calendar, Phalguna is twelfth month of the year, and corresponds with February/March in the Gregorian calendar.Henderson, Helene. (Ed.) (2005) ' ...

and ends on the full-moon day in the ''Old Conquests'' areas of Goa (the areas that were under Portuguese colonial rule for a longer period of time, starting from the sixteenth century). On the other hand, ''Vhadlo Shigmo'' is mostly celebrated in the ''New Conquests'' areas, beginning on the full-moon day of Phalguna and continuing for five days.

Terminology

''Naman'' are songs sung in chorus during the festival, when villagers assemble at a fixed place. ''Jot'' is another kind of song. Dances include ''Talgadi'', ''Hanpet'', Lamp Dance and ''Gopha''. ''Dhol'' and ''Taso'' are drums, some of which can be huge, which people carry from door to door, dancing to their sound. Money is placed in a plate carried by the performers, in response to which they sing a song called the ''Tali'', wishing the donor well. On the last day of the festival, it is believed that a spirit known as the ''Gade padap'' enters the dancers. ''Mand davarap'' refers to a collective bath taken after the festival comes to an end.

Folk songs and dances, temple festival

''Dhakto Shigmo'' can be considered mainly as a festival of folk songs and folk dances, while ''Vhadlo Shigmo'' is considered a festival performed in the village temple. It is celebrated in different temples on different dates around the same period. On the first day, the village deity is bathed and dressed in saffron robes. After the offering of food, a feast is held. Shigmo celebrated in the temples of Jambavali, Phatarpya, Kansarpal and Dhargale are very famous in Goa and the neighboring states and attract a large number of devotees and tourists. Eg folk songs like शेवते झाडाचो लांबा ताळयो लांब ताळयो शेवते फुला कळो

References

{{HinduFestivals Religious festivals in India Hindu festivals Hinduism in Goa Festivals in Goa Holi Folk festivals in India Spring festivals