PANAJI
The State is gearing up to host three events “ Carnival, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, and the Shigmo, within a span of two months scheduled from February to March-April.
Addressing a press conference at Paryatan Bhavan on Friday, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte announced that Carnival will commence from its traditional venue in Panaji on February 10, followed by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti’s main event on February 19 and the Shigmo Parade starting March 26.
Carnival will be a four-day event with float parades to be held from February 10-13 in Panaji, Margao, Vasco and Mapusa respectively, while Shigmo will unfold over 14 days across 18 places.
“Carnival and Shigmo draw in numerous tourists. We will soon release the chart of the scheduled dates of Shigmo so that tourists can plan their holidays accordingly and be a witness to the parades at these places,” he said.
The minister further said that respective municipal councils have been asked to ensure that the traditional fervour of Carnival is brought back during the parades.
“I have also requested the Corporation of the City of Panaji to ensure the committee appointed for Carnival carries out a ‘signature carnival’ as the event starts in Panaji... We get tourists from across the globe and hence it’s also the time to show our culture and tradition,” he added. For Shigmo, the department has increased the prize money.
With regards to spiritual tourism, the department has decided to grant Rs 5 lakh one-time grant for Chhatrapati Shivaji Jayanti to each municipal councils and their respective committees in Panaji, Margao, Mapusa, Mormugao, Sanquelim, and Ponda for the celebration.
