The Goddess Lairai zatra in Shirgao, Bicholim, kept date with tradition as the occasion was celebrated with the vigour it deserved
the goan I network
BICHOLIM
A large number of Dhonds walked barefoot on flaming embers during the Homkhund (pyre) celebration of famous Shirgao Zatra of Goddess Lairai in the wee hours of Monday.
The celebrations began with Devi Abhishek and chanting of Mantras followed by Gharanhe and Mahaarati. Special pious devotees -- Dhonds and Chowgules -- took holy bath and danced in the temple premises with a cane, popularly known as ‘bet’. A special Garanhe (prayer to God) was invoked before the goddess and Dhonds made their way towards Homkhund and danced around it. Later, the Dhonds from across the State, Maharashtra and Karnataka walked on the embers barefoot.
Earlier, ‘Mode’ let a burning stick into Homkhund before going for holy bath and taking a holy dip along with Kalash went to Mudder. Later, the Dhonds had their final bath in Dhondachi Tali before going to Mudder to seek blessings of the goddess. They were given a bud of Mogra by the goddess which they kept in their cavity so that they are not harmed while walking on the embers. By the time the Dhonds returned from Mudder, the Homkhund had converted into huge flames.
As soon as the firewood was converted into embers, the Homkhundi family spread the embers on the ground to have an Agnidivya, the main part of Zatra. Later, the Dhonds walked on the embers one by one and it was finally the goddess in the form of Mode holding Kalash who walked on the embers, thus signifying the end of first day of the festival. The Kalsotsav festival of the goddess began on Monday evening and it will continue till Thursday.
There was heavy rush at the Homkhund area, due to which the local youth and the police put in hard efforts to control the situation.
Over 500 police personnel were deployed under the guidance of PI Naryan Chimulkar and DySP Ramesh Gaonkar, besides the newly set up traffic cell police personnel under PI Sudesh Narvekar.
