The other morning, I was skimming through the morning newspaper over my bed tea… All I could see was vibrant, colorful and gaudy pics of floats and parades and hordes of people in vivid robes, feasting and dancing on streets.

The fever of ‘Carnival’ burgeons like epidemic. Carnival is a popular festival of Christians that was passed to us as an integral legacy by the Portuguese. This 3 days extravaganza and burlesque has always been a grand package of fun, frisk and frolic; full of glee, laughter, merriment and celebration. The whole state is adorned and decorated like a bride, people come out teeming onto the streets and the spark of gaiety sets up the fire. The legendary ‘King Momo’ presides over and orders to commence the fiesta.

Carnival is the most awaited festival; it has traversed across the frontiers and get tourists flooding in. It is not celebrated anywhere else in India, thus adding another asset to the tourism industry in Goa.

This festival of revelry and frolic has its epicenter in Brazil and the tremors of celebration have spread all over. The idea behind this celebration revolves around freedom to one and all. So, isn’t it the best time to delve into the stress free world and breaking off from the monotonous busy bee life?????

However the fête and carousing doesn’t end here. One can look out for more as another festival of multitude brims up waiting around the corner. ‘Shigmotsav’- A festival of Hindus celebrated on full-moon day in Phalgun (last month of the Hindu calendar).

Shigmo spans for over a fort night. It begins with ‘Naman’ or collective genuflection of villagers from 9th moon day to full-moon day. All these days, they have to shirk away from non-vegetarian food and all forms of intoxicants.

From the 11th Moon day to the 15th moon day, various village groups clad in their most colorful Indian outfits set out with festive mood with multi-colored cloths, torans, flags and column-like red spotted "Dwajas", beating drums and blowing flutes to gather at the temple. From here, the parade moves through the entire city sound of beating drum in rhythm fill the atmosphere. The real pomp begins on 5th day, that is, on the day of Rang Panchami; when people play with lush of red colored powder- gulal. Prolific use of gulal is a mark of exult, when people throw it on each other as an indication of open-hearted greeting. The processions are also held followed by a series of Kunbi Folk-Dances performed by village tribal women. Later in the evening, procession of floats follows.
The light, colorful flags, music and vivid environment is sure to keep your heart and mind gripped.

Both, Carnival and Shigmotsav, are the festivals of two distinct communities, yet they resemble each other in so many facets… Both are festivals of horde, festivals of color, music, dance, merriment, glee, floats… You can see people uniting and moving hand in hand, processions and parades lighting up the whole city and engulfing them in the celebration, joy, revelry, happiness….
Though the style may differ, festivals have always been times of celebration, triumph of good over bad, unifying diverse cultures and sharing joy…….

Both these festivals of Goa will be an experience and memory that one will cherish for a lifetime…. The show may end, but the vibrant colors and music will always echo in our heart…..