PANAJI
Shree Lairai Devi Saunsthan at Shirgao Bicholim will be celebrating annual zatrostava on May 16 and though all the rituals are being cancelled due to the Covid pandemic, the occasion will be observed with minimal rituals and no outside person will be allowed to enter the temple premises. “The borders of Shirgao are sealed in order to stop people from other villages from entering the village. There is a police bandobast on each border,” informed Mahadev Gaonkar, chairman, Devasthan Committee.
A meeting was held between the deputy district collector, police and members of the Devasthan committee, to decide on the day's programme and how to control the devotees from entering the temple. The meeting was attended by deputy district collector Deepak Vaingankar, police superintendent Mahesh Gadekar, members of the Devasthan committee and sarpanch Acchut Gaonkar.
“The borders of Shirgao will remain sealed from May 14-17 and people from outside the village are not allowed entry into the village. The zatrotsava has been cancelled due to the Covid and the temple will also be closed for the public,” said Deepak Vaingankar, deputy district collector.
