VASCO
The 127th edition of Vasco’s iconic Shree Damodar Bhajani Saptah began on Tuesday afternoon with the traditional installation of the sacred ‘Srifal’ (coconut) at the feet of Lord Damodar at the Shree Damodar Temple, marking the start of one of the city’s oldest and most revered festivals.
The Srifal was installed by Prashant Joshi of the Joshi family in the presence of devotees, members of the Damodar Bhajani Saptah Samiti and representatives of various Paar groups who arrived with ceremonial Thalis.
The festival began on a grand note, but with special emphasis on crowd management and safety during the main rituals. Heavy police deployment was witnessed around the temple, while restrictions were imposed on the entry of devotees inside the temple premises to prevent overcrowding. Long queues were seen outside as devotees patiently waited for the rituals to conclude before entering to offer prayers.
Speaking to the media, Prashant Joshi said the people of Vasco had been eagerly waiting for the festival and that additional arrangements were made to ensure the safety of devotees.
“We have taken extra efforts to manage the crowd and ensure everyone’s safety. In view of past incidents like the stampede at the Lairai Jatra, we decided to impose access restrictions during peak rituals,” Joshi said.
He said inspections had been carried out by various government departments and officials at the Collector level ahead of the festival, with authorities anticipating a heavy rush.
“Officials from various government departments, considering the possibility of a mad rush, recommended precautionary measures. This is the second time that the temple and surrounding fair area have been insured,” Joshi said.
Among those present during the main rituals were Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho, Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar, Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar, and MMC Chairperson Girish Borker. Representatives of various Paar groups also visited the temple with ceremonial offerings.
The rituals were live-streamed through local platforms and social media, allowing devotees who could not enter the crowded premises to witness the auspicious ceremonies. The temple was decorated for the occasion, while the first round of bhajans began shortly after the Srifal installation, marking the start of the traditional 24-hour nonstop devotional singing.
Joshi said hundreds of karyakartas had worked tirelessly to make arrangements for the festival, from erecting barricades and managing crowds to setting up the stage and collecting donations.
The main Saptah rituals will conclude on Wednesday 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. However, the Saptah fair will continue for another seven days, with several stalls expected to attract visitors from across Goa.
The origins of the festival date back to 1899, when Vasco was affected by a plague epidemic. With limited medical facilities available at the time, locals turned to prayer. A coconut was brought from the Zambaulim temple and installed at Vasco as an offering to Lord Damodar. According to local tradition, the plague subsequently ended, giving rise to the annual Saptah, which continues to be observed on the sixth day of Shravan as a celebration of faith, devotion and Vasco’s cultural heritage.
