BICHOLIM
The Bangdyache (Mackerel) festival was celebrated at Supachi Pud, Harvalem, Sanquelim with traditional fervor on Sunday.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also participated in this festival. He said this festival has been a centre of attraction for today’s younger generation who are totally unaware about such ancient traditions.
It is understood that the locals from Supachi Pud, Harvalem used to organise a get-together on the day of Balipratipada in the hilly areas. For lunch they used to prepare rice dosas and chutney. However, as the years passed this tradition was forgotten.
Thereafter, this tradition has been restarted by a youth leader and former panch member Sanjay Naik since last the 9 years, but this time it was termed as “Bangdyache festival”. Initially this festival started with only 50 mackerels, but now the number of mackerels has been increased to 800.
This festival is celebrated on the first Sunday after Diwali. Locals from Supachi Pud, Navedar Harvalem, Pratapnagar and surrounding areas gather in a farmhouse at Harvalem and celebrate the festival.
Gopal Surlakar, a local said people even carry parcels to their homes as the taste of the fried mackerels remains unmatched.
