VASCO
The two-day Akhand Damodar Bhajani Saptah ended on Sunday with traditional rituals but minus the traditional fanfare on account of the Covid pandemic.
The religious ceremony of the Akhand Damodar Bhajani Saptah concluded with the conducting of "Samapti" rituals and immersion of the Shreefal (also known as Kaul), anointed the previous year at the feet of Lord Damodar, in the Arabian Sea.
Due to the pandemic, the traditional rituals were modified and only a few people led by Damodar Narvekar of the Narvekar family carried the Shreefal by car along with few other members.
As per traditional rituals, the commencement of the Saptah Festival begins with the placement of Shreefal by the members of the Joshi family and the Samapti ritual begins with the immersion of the previous year’s Kaul by the Narvekar family for several years.
Some people performed the dindi towards the Kharewado beach where Kaul anointed the previous year in the Damodar Temple was immersed in the sea to mark the conclusion of Akhand Damodar Bhajani Saptah, which witnesses a 24-hour non-stop bhajan.
The Samapti ritual concluded when the few members of the procession entered the temple premises and danced in a circular pattern around the people singing bhajans in the temple.
The final Pooja of Lord Damodar was performed, marking the conclusion of the 24-hour Akhand Damodar Bhajani Saptah.
Speaking to reporters, Narvekar said though hundreds of people from all over Goa would gather to witness the traditional Samapti rituals, the Covid outbreak had forced the Saptah Committee to keep the function on a small scale.
"Though rituals were performed the traditional way, the fanfare was avoided. We are sad that traditions had to be modified but we are hopeful that things will change and Lord Damodar will act as a divine intervention to get over the present Covid pandemic," said Narvekar.
