Local Muslim devotees performing rituals for the horses at the Babar Pir Dargah in Dattawadi, Sanquelim.
BICHOLIM
While the Shimgotsav festival celebrated in villages honours local deities worshipped in the community, the Ghode-Modani festival of Parye village is widely known for reflecting the long-standing unity between Hindus and Muslims.
Even today, the festival continues to strengthen religious harmony and close ties between the two communities and is celebrated with great enthusiasm by both.
On the first day of the festival, decorated horse effigies are dressed and danced in Poriem village. On the next day, the horses are again prepared at Tulshimala, where they are worshipped. After performing the traditional Pavali dance, the procession moves along the road to Dattawadi in Sanquelim.
On reaching Dattawadi, the procession receives a grand welcome from the local Romtamel group of Sanquelim. The decorated horses are then taken to the Babar Pir Dargah.
According to an age-old tradition, before entering Sanquelim the horses first visit the shrine of Babar Pir. At the dargah, members of the Muslim community ceremonially worship the horses. After the ritual, the procession proceeds to the Sanquelim market.
From the market area, the horses go to the Shri Maruti Temple, which marks the boundary between Poriem and the Gaothan area, and then return. Later, the horses enter the Saptashati Mandap in the market, where devotees offer prayers and take blessings. The horses also visit selected Shimgotsav mandaps and respected households in the market area, where they are worshipped.
After completing the visits and receiving traditional offerings from the people, the horses return to Tulshimala, where the Ghode-Modani celebration concludes.
For many years, horses have been brought to the Babar Pir Dargah in Dattawadi, where members of the Muslim community perform rituals and offer hospitality to the participants.
Abdullah Sheikh and Riyaz Khan said they continue to uphold this tradition passed down by their ancestors, which symbolises communal harmony and encourages people to live together in peace.
Jalba Majik from Poriem said the Ghode-Modani celebration begins in Poriem and reaches Sanquelim the next day with great enthusiasm. As per tradition, the horses visit several places in Sanquelim where devotees perform rituals.
“A visit to Babar Pir has been a long-standing custom and continues even today, making the occasion a joyful celebration of unity between the two communities,” said Majik.
