the goan I network
VALPOI
The traditional Dussehra of Pissurle Devasthan was celebrated following direction from the North Goa Collector to celebrate the festival on Saturday. A large number of devotees took part in ‘Kaul' in Navdurga Devasthan, Pissurle-Sattari.
It may be recalled that Sattari Mamlatdar had ordered the postponement of the traditional Dussehra rituals of the Pissurle Devasthan at Pissurle, after one group of Mahajans sought postponement of the religious rituals.
The traditional Dussehra at Mahadev Ravalnath Navdurga Devasthan was scheduled on Friday and Saturday, but due to death of Ramchandra Khemlo Parab, a member of one of the Mahajan group, the Mahajan group was unable to attend the rituals and they had demanded to postpone the religious rituals atleast for 12 days. A memorandum was submitted to the Mamlatdar in this regard.
On Thursday, the Mamlatdar had discussion with all the Mahajan groups and decided to postpone this tradition and directed to celebrate it after 12 days with the involvement of all the Mahajan groups.
On Friday, the Devasthan management committee filed an application before North Goa Collector stating that this is cultural heritage of Pissurle Devasthan and cannot be postponed. As per religious rule, this traditional Dussehra should be celebrated on time and cannot be postponed.
Considering this, the North Goa Collector overruled the Mamlatdar's decision and issued a fresh order to celebrate the ‘Kaul', which is part of the Dussehra tradition.
Following Collector's order, ‘Kaul' rituals took place in Navdurga Devasthan on Saturday and many devotees took part in the rituals.
Speaking to The Goan, Devasthan committee president Milind Parab said ‘Kaul Prasad' ritual was performed in Navdurga Devasthan and a large number of devotees took part. "This is traditional activity of Pissurle Devasthan which should be performed on time and it cannot be postponed. Another group of Mahajans did not take part in this tradition because of some uncertain reason," said Parab.
