Porvorim Shigmotsav Celebrated with Great Fervour, Showcasing Goa’s Cultural Heritage

The event was graced by several dignitaries including Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Tourism Minister; Shri Kedar J. Naik, Chairman GTDC & MLA Saligao; Shri Kedar Naik, Director Tourism and Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, Managing Director GTDC. Also present were local representatives and community leaders including Shri Swapnil Chodankar, Sarpanch of Penha De Franca; Smt. Sonia Pednekar, Sarpanch of Socorro; Smt. Reshma Bandodkar, Chairman of North Goa ZP; Shri Sandeep Salgaonkar, ZP member of Penha De Franca; Shri Amit Asnodkar, ZP member of Socorro and other Zilla Panchayat and Panchayat members along with residents of Porvorim and Saligao.

Addressing the gathering,  Tourism Minister, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte highlighted the importance of preserving and celebrating Goa’s cultural identity. He stated “In Saligao and Porvorim this year we have celebrated Shigmotsav in a big way, giving people an opportunity to be part of the celebrations. Last year, considering the ongoing flyover work and the sentiments of the community, we decided to celebrate Shigmotsav differently. With the new lane and the service road, we have now been able to begin the festivities together with the people. While keeping traffic considerations in mind and excluding the floats this year, we ensured that traditions such as Romtamel and the fancy dress presentations continue to showcase our culture, tradition and pride. These celebrations give our future generations the courage and inspiration to carry this heritage forward. Let us celebrate with great fervour and energy along with our people, as well as domestic and foreign tourists. Under the vision of Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and through the ‘Goa Beyond Beaches’ initiative, we will continue to showcase Goa’s true culture in its most authentic form.”

Director of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik also emphasized the significance of community participation in sustaining Goa’s traditional festivals stating “Shigmotsav is an integral part of Goa’s cultural fabric and celebrations like these reaffirm the strong community spirit that keeps our traditions alive. Through such initiatives, we aim to encourage greater participation from locals while also giving visitors an opportunity to experience the authentic cultural heritage of Goa.”

The celebration witnessed enthusiastic participation from cultural groups and residents, with traditional performances and festive gatherings transforming Porvorim into a vibrant cultural hub for the evening. The event also drew the attention of tourists who experienced Goa’s rich traditions beyond its beaches, reinforcing the state’s vision of promoting cultural tourism under the Goa Beyond Beaches initiative.

Shigmotsav celebrations will continue across various locations in Goa over the coming days, with vibrant parades, cultural performances, and community festivities reflecting the enduring spirit of this cherished festival.