Devotees transport Betal Ratacho Khambo to Shree Betal Temple, Poinguinim for its triennial zatra. Captured by : Kathy Fernandes
CANACONA
Thousands of devotees pulled on a 45-feet wooden pole (Betal Ratacho Khambo) as a preparation for its triennial Ghodeanchi Zatra at Shri Betal Temple, Poinguinim.
The people pulled the pole, decorated and garlanded with flowers, cut from a forest in Shellim in Loliem-Polem village, along the NH-66 road via Poinguinim Bazaar, amid chants, before fixing it at the Shri Betal temple premises as a preparation for the Ghodeanchi Zatra to be held on May 21.
President of Shri Betal Devalaya Samiti, Udhay Prabhugaongkar informed that the event held once in three years, could not be celebrated for the last two years due to Covid restrictions. This year, it will be celebrated on may 21 at Shri Betal Temple at 4 pm.
"The rituals will begin on May 8 and will culminate in the Ghodeanchi Zatra on May 21. Normally, two wooden poles are used to conduct the Ghodeanchi Zatra held every three years. However, as one wooden pole lasts for 3 years, the worn out pole is compulsorily replaced with a new one," he said.
"This year, after we informed the forest department about our requirement, they promptly issued the necessary licence. We got the tree cut from Shellim (Loliem-Polem), and today brought the 45-feet long pole to the temple premises. It was a devotional pious ceremony people participated with much of fervor," Prabhugaongkar informed.
According to locals, not only people from all over the State, but devotees from across the border participate in the Ghodeanchi Zatra, which was last held in 2017. The wooden poles are mostly cut from the trees of the species Otamb or Khodgus.
