Goa: Shigmo Utsav 2016

It’s everything Goan—colour, culture, splendid cuisine—all of which are coming together as a rambunctious spring celebration called Shigmo, in continuity with the Goa Food and Cultural Festival (there’s one day of overlap in the two events). Shigmo is the near-mythic homecoming honouring warriors who left behind their homes and families at the end of Dussera to fight invaders. Mythological scenes are depicted in exuberant parades accompanied by rhythmic folk dances to traditional music by players of dhol tashas and flutes over the entire state, from Margao to Vasco, Sanguem to Cuncolim. The start of the summer vacation is bound to add surging crowds of revellers to these two annual immersions in the spirit and sunshine that’s Goa (Shigmo Utsav: 24 March-7 April; Goa Food and Cultural Festival: 6-10 April; goa-tourism.com).