Goddess Shri Gajant Laxmi seated in a Palkhi (palanquin) is brought outside and the Palkhi is made to take one Pradakshina (circumambulation) around the temple. After the round, it is kept on a Chautara (specially erected platform) close to a stage. The Goddess sitting in the Palkhi is made to see the youngsters performing a Gavlan Kalo on the stage.
Gavlan Kalo consists of the enacting scenes of Lord Krishna’s childhood days when he played with the Gopika (female companion) in the land of Gokul. The local kids of Volvoi take part in this Kalo with full enthusiasm.
PERFORMANCE OF NATAKS
After the Gavlan Kalo, a Natak (drama in Marathi language) based on the historical theme, is performed on the stage by a special troupe of Mochemadkars. The Mochemadkars are families of professional performers from the neighbouring district of Sindhudurg in Maharashtra.
This special Natak by them is the final Natak (drama) in a series of four Nataks performed on the temple premises. The other three dramas are performed in the previous three nights before the Gondhal festival. Those three Nataks are based either on historical or religious themes and are performed by enthusiastic local youth of Volvoi who want to showcase their talent.
My friend, Tukaram Nanda Tari, a native of Volvoi and now residing in Vasco, says that the Palkhi with the Goddess is also brought to watch the Nataks out on the previous three nights.
On those nights, it is kept on the Chautara (special platform) after the Pradakshina and taken back to the temple soon after the performance of the Natak. But, on the night of the Gondhal, the Palkhi is not taken inside immediately after the Natak by the Mochemadkars. Instead, it is kept out to witness the other rituals and ceremonies of Gondhal.
VHODLO GONDHAL
No sooner the Natak performance by the Mochemadkars is over, all the devotees are done with the Guru darshan. After this, in the early hours of the day, the second Gondhal called the Vhodlo Gondal is celebrated in the temple courtyard. Vhodlo Gondhal means the big Gondhal and differs from the Daklo/Lhan Gondal.
This Gondhal is dedicated to Lord Mahadev (Shiva). For lighting the Homkund (bonfire) for this Gondal, large pieces of chopped wood known as Borre in Konkani are piled in the demarcated area. All the devotees present, stand in a circle around this Homkund with folded hands while the Vhodil (a village elder) chants a Gharane in a loud voice. Gharane means an appeal to all the Gods and other spirits to keep the village and the villagers safe and secure against sickness and all evils. The devotees answer affirmatively, “Hai Saiba (yes Lord)!” to the Gharane.
The Hindu calendar year ends in Phalgun, so the Guru and the Vhodil pray that all the evils and bad things of the past year are destroyed in the fire. They plead to the Gods to mark a new beginning with good things in the forthcoming Hindu new year, which will start soon in the month of Pausha from the day of the Gudi Padwa. Vhodlo Gondal ends with the devotees shouting the slogan, “Har Har Mahadev!” praising Lord Shiva.
DHULVAT CELEBRATION
As soon as the bonfire goes out, devotees celebrate Dhulvat in the presence of Shri Gajant Laxmi sitting in the Palkhi, early in the morning. All the men dance to the tune of Vajantri (a musical band) played by Dhol-Tashe (drums and cymbals). They apply Gulal (powdered colour) to one another after applying a little Dhul (dust) from the ground to their forehead.
Women devotees who are present around, watch the Dhulvat ceremony as onlookers. After the Dhulvat, the Palkhi of Shri Gajant Laxmi is taken back inside the temple after taking a Pradakshina. All the men who had played with Gulal, go to the river for a bath. They return to the temple and are offered Teertha (holy water) by the Bhatt (temple priest). This Teertha is the water collected in a brass container after bathing the idol of the Goddess in the Palkhi. With this, the Shigmo/Shimgo season at Shri Gajant Laxmi temple in Volvoi concludes. [Concluded]
[The writer is an architect by profession and is passionate about festivals and traditions in Goa]
