BICHOLIM
The devotees from various ages and different walks of life paid homage to goddess Lairai by offering flowers and Ooitis (a tray with coconut, flowers, rice, Haldi-Kumkum and other items) to Goddess Lairai in the main temple and at original goddess place at Mudder. A large number of Dhonds, after observing a fast for 3-6 days at their respective residential places, thronged Shirgao to participate in the Agnidivya at Thursday dawn. The Zatra began with Abhishek to goddess Lairai by the temple priest with milk and water. Later, holy water was sprinkled in the temple premises and surrounding areas of Shirgao village to maintain sanctity. The main devotees of goddess Lairai, popularly known as Chowgules from Mayem and Vainginim, reached Lairai temple with a traditional Kavlas in a procession. Later, a Chira was taken to the temple from the residence of a traditional priest and after worshipping, it was carried to Mudder in a procession of Dhonds and other devotees. It was again taken back to the temple late in the evening. Earlier, a large number of Dhonds took a holy dip in the Dhondachi Tali and then visited the Mudder to seek blessings from the goddess. According to devotees, it is necessary that goddess Lairai accepts a new Dhond and for this, the new Dhonds go to Mudder to seek her blessings. Once accepted, a new Dhond is bound to take a holy dip again and then go to the main temple to pay homage. During Agnidivya, new Dhonds should give Mogra flowers to five old Dhonds and should also worship their cane stick (Bet). The Dhonds later danced in the temple presmises before going to take a final holy dip in the Dhondachi Tali, followed by a community prayer. After the prayer, the Dhonds took a final holy dip after midnight and this time they were followed by a Mode holding the Kalash. On the way to Dhondachi Tali, the Mode let a burning fire stick into the arranged firewood. By the time the Dhonds returned back to the Homkhand , the entire firewood was engulfed in huge flames. The Dhonds then danced around the Homkhand and walked barefoot on the embers in the wee hours of Thursday. A strong police force was deployed near the Zatra venue, borders of Shirgao near Assanora bus stand and at Shirgao border from Poira side to regulate the smooth flow of traffic. The police under the guidance of PI Narayan Chimulkar and DySP Ramesh Gaonkar were continuously monitoring the situation to avoid any untoward incident. The Kalsotsav will begin at Shirgao-Bicholim on Thursday afternoon, which will continue for four days.
