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Shimaga (Marathi: शिमगा śimagā) is a spring festival celebrated in the Indian state of Maharashtra, where it is one of the major festivals of the Hindu community.
Etymology[edit]
The Marathi/Konkani word śimagā comes from the Prakrit word Suggimaho and the Sanskrit Sugrishmaka.[1]
Shimaga now[edit]
Shimaga is one of the popular festivals in Maharashtra. It is celebrated on full moon day of Marathi Month of Phalguna which usually comes in the month March. Dancing with Palakhi is a ritual at the time of Shimaga festival. This is popular in Ratnagiri district of Konkan region and is celebrated by all people irrespective of age, caste and creed. Shimaga is celebrated in the period between the months of February and March and in last month of Hindu calendar that is Phalguna.
Variations[edit]
There are two variants of Shigmo festival: Dhakto Shigmo ("small Shigmo") and Vhadlo Shigmo ("big Shigmo").[2] Dhakto Shigmo is generally celebrated by farmers, the labour class and the rural population, while Vhadlo Shigmo is of greater consequence and is celebrated by everyone together.[2]
Timing[edit]
Dhakto Shigmo begins some five days before the full-moon day of the Indian lunar month of Phalguna and ends on the full-moon day[3] in the Old Conquests areas of Goa (the areas that were under Portuguese colonial rule for a longer period of time, starting from the sixteenth century). On the other hand, Vhadlo Shigmo is mostly celebrated in the New Conquests areas, beginning on the full-moon day of Phalguna and continuing for five days.
Terminology[edit]
In Sindhudurg district the festival is of 5 days, Main highlight of this festival in district is on third day when people of Nerur celebrate Manda Utsava (मांड उत्सव) where people wear various clowns and dance on tunes of bhajanas.[4] Dhol and Taso are drums, some of which can be huge, which people carry from door to door, dancing to their sound. Money is placed in a plate carried by the performers, in response to which they sing a song called the Tali, wishing the donor well. On the last day of the festival, it is believed that a spirit known as the Gade padap enters the dancers. Mand davarap refers to a collective bath taken after the festival comes to an end.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Apabhraṃśa". Koṅkaṇī Śabdasāgara (in Konkani). Vol. 1. p. 126.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
gsgwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Gajrani, S. History, Religion and Culture of India. pp. 127–128.
- ^ Bhaṭṭa, S.C; Gopāla K. Bhārgava. Land and people of Indian states and union territories in 36 volumes. Vol. 7. p. 230.
