VASCO
The 126th edition of the iconic Shree Damodar Bhajani Saptah, one of Vasco’s oldest and most revered festivals, commenced on Wednesday afternoon, bringing thousands of people to the port town.
The Saptach began with the traditional installation of the ‘Srifal’ (coconut) at the feet of Lord Damodar at the Shree Damodar Temple by Prashant Joshi in the presence of devotees and members of the Damodar Bhajani Saptah Samiti.
The rituals were live-streamed on local platforms and social media, allowing devotees unable to attend in person to witness the auspicious ceremonies. While the temple saw a heavy rush, many devotees stood patiently outside to seek blessings.
The temple premises were decked in festive decorations, and the first round of bhajans began shortly after the Srifal installation, marking the beginning of the traditional 24-hour nonstop bhajan that defines the Saptah.
“The people of Vasco have been waiting for this festival for a long time and the 126th Saptah has finally begun. The entire city is illuminated, and we expect the glorious Paar (mythological floats) to start arriving at the temple premises soon,” said Prashant Joshi of the Joshi family, while speaking to media persons.
Extending greetings to devotees, he said, “We pray that the rains don’t play spoilsport and that every devotee gets an opportunity to seek blessings of Lord Damodar.”
Among the politicians present in the temple during the main rituals were Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar, Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar, MMC Chairperson Girish Borker, and representatives of various Paar groups who came to offer the ceremonial Thali.
Also visiting the temple later in the day were Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, and former Delhi CM Atishi.
The Saptah will conclude on Thursday afternoon with the immersion of the holy Srifal, installed during last year’s Saptah, into the sea at Kharewado by members of the Narvekar family.
While the Saptah concludes on Thursday, several stalls will continue to operate for the next seven days as part of the Saptah fair, drawing crowds from across the State.
The origins of the festival date back to 1899, during a plague epidemic in Vasco. With inadequate medical facilities at the time, locals turned to divine intervention. A coconut was brought from the Zambaulim temple and installed at Vasco in prayer. The plague was said to have miraculously ended thereafter, giving rise to the annual celebration of faith and devotion that continues to this day on the sixth day of the Shravan month.
