Prashant Joshi of the Joshi family while placing the Shreefal at the feet of Lord Damodar to mark the commencement of the 125th Damodar Bhajani Saptah on Saturday.
Photo Credits: Narayan Pissurlenkar
VASCO
The 125th Shree Damodar Bhajani Saptah, one of the biggest festivals of the port town, began on Saturday afternoon, when industrialist Prashant Joshi installed the ‘Shreefal’ (coconut) at the feet of Lord Damodar at Shree Damodar temple in Vasco.
This year, the celebration was carried out on a grand scale to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the festival.
As per traditional rituals, the placement of Shreefal was carried out by the Joshi family amid a huge rush of devotees in the temple.
The people inside the temple included committee members and family members of the Joshi Family. Among the politicians present in the temple were Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho, Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar, Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar, Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chairperson Girish Borker and industrialist Narayan Bandekar.
The other leaders who also visited the temple included Union Minister Shripad Naik, former Dy CM Chandrakant Kavlekar and former Fatorda MLA Damu Naik.
Besides, representatives of the Paar Groups had arrived to offer a Thali to the temple.
The traditional rituals were also streamed online by the temple committee so that people could witness the function from their locations.
The temple witnessed a huge rush, as a large number of devotees were seen standing outside the temple to seek the blessings of Lord Damodar on the occasion of Saptah.
The first set of Bhajan was performed after the Shreefal was placed at the feet of Lord Damodar to start the 24-hour non-stop bhajan in the temple during Saptah.
A huge police force was present at the temple to ensure law and order in the area.
The 24-hour Damodar Bhajani Saptah will conclude on Sunday when the holy Shreefal annointed the previous year at the Lord’s feet will be taken and dipped in the sea at Kharewado by members of the Narvekar family.
Speaking to reporters, Paresh Joshi said Saptah was celebrated on a grand scale this year considering the historic 125th anniversary of the festival.
“The people of Vasco has been anticipating the festival for a very long time and the date has finally arrived when the 125th Saptah festival has begun. We have taken extra efforts to celebrate the 125th anniversary and control the extra rush of the people who are expected in the temple, especially being the weekend,” said Joshi.
“We had a lot of religious activities like the Havan and other poojas before we began this year’s Saptah festival. The entire port town is in a festive and joyful mood and I invite people from across the State to visit the Saptah festival and seek the blessings of Lord Damodar.”
“The entire city is illuminated and we will see glorious and grand Paar (Mythological floats) which will start arriving from 3 pm to 3 am in the temple premises.”
He informed that around 170 Karyakartas have been instrumental in handling the 125th Saptah from controlling the crowds, arranging barricades, setting the stage and arranging funds through donations and every other aspects for the successful Saptah celebrations.
