Shigmo is known to be one of the most colourful and entertaining festivals in Goa. It is also known as Shigmotsav or the harvest festival and is celebrated annually during the Phalgun month which is the last month according to the Hindu calendar.

This year the government of Goa earmarked a lot of funds to be given as prize money for the Shigmo festival. Respective organising committees were accorded the responsibility of organising the Shigmotsav at various places. In order to make the celebration more colourful this year various cultural programmes were also held along with folk dance competitions and fire works display being held at some places.

On March 12, 2009 the streets of Goa came alive as the year's first shigmo parade was held in Ponda. Temporary traffic arrangements were made in view of the parade to be held. The Home Minister along with the president of the Antruz Shigmo Utsav Committee broke the coconut, in the presence of vice president and Transport Minister and other dignitaries, at the Lord Mahadev temple at Tiska, Ponda.

Thousands of people thronged the streets to witness the Romtamell, folk dances and the floats. Various groups were seen dancing to the beats of the dhol and taso and singing folk songs to the accompaniment of drums. Huge floats depicting Hindu were also witnessed which enthralled the locals as well as the tourists.

Shigmotsav was also celebrated in various other places in Goa such as Panaji, Mapusa, Vasco, Margao, Bicholim, Sanquelim, Valpoi, Pernem and many others. Many folk dance troupes, floats and romtamel groups participated in the parades held all over the state.