PANAJI
The famous Dindi Mahotsav associated with the Hari Mandir temple in the commercial capital Margao in South Goa is announced as the State festival by the Goa government. The announcement was made in the Assembly during the Annual Budget presentation on Wednesday.
The Dindi is a week-long festival associated with Hari Mandir and Vitthal Mandir. It was a long-pending request of the Madgaonkars to declare the Dindi Mahotsav as a State festival, and the Margao MLA Digambar Kamat had in 2024 that this request will be fulfilled by the government in 2025. “The government has initiated the process to declare Dindi festival as a State festival. We are confident that the festival will get the status of State festival next year,” the MLA had assured.
Similarly the Lairai Devi Zatra held at Shirgao in Bicholim is also declared as the State festival. The devotees from Goa and across gather to pay their tributes to the deity Lairai, which is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. The deeply rooted in tradition has unique rituals called ‘Agnidivya’ followed by the devotees known as Dhonds who walk barefoot on the burning coal during the Mahotsav. This fire-walking ritual is performed after undergoing strict fasting, prayers and penance as a preparation for this spiritual ceremony. It is a testament to devotion and spiritual purity.
Apart from the fire-walking ritual, the festival includes a grand ‘palkhi’ procession, where the idol of Goddess Lairai is carried through the village amid devotional songs, drumming, and dance. Devotees make offerings of flowers, incense, and coconut to express gratitude and seek blessings. The event draws thousands of visitors, both devotees and tourists, captivated by its spiritual and cultural significance.
