VASCO
Several people from in and around Vasco assembled at the Khapreshwar Belabai Temple in Vasco on Thursday to participate in a century-old ritual of offering coconut and flowers to mark the commencement of Holi.
The ritual of offering coconut to the God here has been followed for about 100 years and is still followed by many people across Vasco and beyond.
As part of the ritual, there is a ‘gharane’ prayer offered by the priest and it is believed that all evil spirits or negative energy associated with a person is cleared with the gharane put by the priest.
Speaking to media persons, the Khapreshwar Belabai Temple President Sadanand Mahale said many people assemble on the day before Holi to offer prayers and coconut at the temple.
"This tradition has been practised for about a hundred years. We first cut branches of a mango tree and set it up, before we perform a Pooja.”
“After the Pooja, coconuts are offered and individual prayers are invoked by the priest. Prayers and offerings begin at around 6.30 pm and can go on till early morning hours as thousands arrive here to seek blessings here since many years.”
“The ‘dhul vaati’ celebration lasts for 7 days along with various social and cultural programmes. The Holi comes to an end here in this area after 7 days," said Mahale.
