Announcements

The Panaji Shigmotsav Samiti will be celebrating its 37th year of organizing the Shigmo festival in Panaji. The cultural programs will be held at Azad Maidan from March 3rd to March 8th, with support from the Goa Government, Tourism Department, and the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP). Schedule of Events • March 3: The festival kicks off with Gulalotsav / Rangapanchami. • March 4: Konkani comedy drama. • March 5: Dance program. • March 6: Musical program. • March 7: The main Shobhayatra (Shigmo float procession). • March 8: Lavani cultural program to conclude the festivities. Procession Route Changes The committee addressed concerns regarding the procession route, clarifying that they cannot return to the "old route" for several reasons: • Logistical Issues: Modern floats have become massive, sometimes consisting of up to four trolleys, making it difficult to navigate the older, tighter roads. • Smart City Works: Recent infrastructure changes have altered footpaths and road space, which restricts viewing capacity. • Residential Complaints: The old route passed through heavily residential areas. Because modern processions often stretch until the early hours of the morning, the loud music, noise, and pollution were causing significant distress to senior citizens living in those areas. New Rules & Prize Money • Lottery System: Following directives from the Tourism Department, a lottery system will be implemented for Romtamel entries to save time and maintain order. • Size Limits: To keep things manageable and organized, the size of participating Romtamel groups has been restricted to 150 people (down from the previous 300-400). • Prize Money: The government has allocated around ₹10,57,500 in total prize money. This includes ₹5 Lakhs for Chitrarath (floats), roughly ₹4 Lakhs for Romtamel, and ₹1 Lakh for Folk Dance, with additional prizes sponsored by private donors such as the Dempo Group.

The city of Panaji is set to be vibrant with colors and music as the Shigmotsav Celebration 2026 kicks off. The festivities will begin with Gulalotsav at Azad Maidan on March 4, followed by a grand parade on March 7, and a five-day entertainment program at Azad Maidan from 3rd to 8th March 2026 : Shrinivas Dempo, President of Panaji Shigmotsav Samiti.