the goan I network
VASCO
In a first of its kind, the Damodar Bhajani Saptah committee has decided to offer Annadaan (food) to about 7,000 devotees of Lord Damodar arriving for the Saptah Fair on Thursday.
A special sub committee has been constituted by the Damodar Bhajani Saptah committee to exclusively handle the Annadaan function.
Members of Annadaan Samiti addressed the media on Tuesday afternoon to provide details of the Annadaan function, to be held for the first time in the history of the Saptah Fair at Vasco.
Annadaan Samiti member Shekar Khadapkar said there had been great response from various devotees, businessmen and industrialists to the Annadaan initiative. “Vasco-based industrialist and philanthropist Narayan Bandekar offered his premises, Gulmar Park, for the function and the Annadaan will cater to more than 7,000 devotees,” he said.
Stating that there would be over 70 volunteers at the Annadaan function to serve the devotees, Khadapkar said the function would begin from 1 pm to around 7 pm on Thursday.
“The committee has also decided to keep this Sarvajanik Annadaan as a ritual to be performed annually at the Saptah festival,” he said.
“We had been working on this initiative for many years, but this idea finally took shape this year. We committee members approached the parent Saptah Committee and sought permission from the Joshi family.” “Later, we met Bandekar with our proposal and he gave us premises in the heart of the city to be used for the function.”
“We have set up a pandal and will also make all necessary arrangements to cater to a huge crowd that will land in Vasco for the Saptah. I request all devotees to make the most of this function after seeking the blessings of Lord Damodar,” said Khadapkar.
