VASCO
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant attended the grand Chhath Puja celebrations at Baina beach on Thursday, joining Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar, Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chairperson Girish Borker, Sancoale ZP Anita Thorat, Chicalim Sarpanch Kamla Prasad Yadav, municipal councillors, and thousands of devotees in a festive display of unity.
Sawant lauded MLA Krishna Salkar for organising the Chhath Puja at Baina beach over the past eight years, transforming it into a place of spiritual significance. He praised the Chhath Puja committee for their efforts, highlighting the beach’s turnaround from a negative reputation to a vibrant spiritual hub.
“I congratulate the Chhath Puja committee for organising such a grand celebration. Baina beach is now a focal point for spiritual tourism and displays India’s ‘Unity in Diversity.’ This event embodies the essence of an Akhand Bharat, as envisioned by PM Narendra Modi, where Indians unite and celebrate festivals together,” said Sawant.
Sawant further expressed Goa’s commitment to improve Baina beach’s infrastructure, given its increasing popularity among devotees and tourists alike. He emphasised that the festivities enhance the spiritual tourism potential of the beach.
MLA Krishna Salkar noted a growing number of devotees at the Chhath Puja each year, with this year’s attendance estimated at around 20,000, including participants from as far as Ponda. “The festival of the Sun God, a revered life-giver in Sanatan Dharma, is now embraced by Goans as well as North Indian communities. The CM’s consistent support has helped this celebration grow in scale and significance,” said Salkar.
Chhath Puja, dedicated to the Sun God and his wives Usha and Sandhya, is celebrated with deep reverence by fasting devotees who perform rigorous rituals over four days. This includes holy bathing, fasting without water (Vrat), and standing in water to offer arghya to the setting and rising sun. The beach saw many women dressed traditionally, carrying puja thalis and sugarcane stalks, symbolising gratitude to the Sun for life’s bounties.
