VASCO
Vasco’s historic Lord Damodar Temple witnessed a rare religious ceremony as the traditional Chandan Gandha Pooja was performed, drawing a large number of devotees who gathered to witness the sacred ritual.
The Gandha Pooja, traditionally performed during the holy month of Shravan, involves completely coating the idol of Lord Damodar with sandalwood (Chandan) paste. Devotees believe that the sacred sandalwood paste provides a cooling and soothing effect to the deity.
According to temple priest Bhushan Joshi, the Lord Damodar Temple has completed around 128 years of its existence, while its 127th Saptah was held recently.
He said the Gandha Pooja has been performed only three times in the temple’s history, making the latest ceremony particularly significant.
Joshi said the first Gandha Pooja was performed by his late father, Ramesh Joshi, who also served as the temple priest, in 1991. The second ceremony was again performed by Ramesh Joshi in 2009, after a gap of 17 years.
After another gap of 17 years, the sacred tradition was revived with the third Gandha Pooja being performed by Bhushan Joshi, marking his first such ceremony as the temple priest.
The historic ritual was conducted along with Laghu Rudra Havan, Navagraha Pooja and Satyanarayan Pooja. The ceremonies witnessed the participation of numerous devotees, who gathered at the temple to seek blessings and be part of a rare religious occasion.
The ceremony also marked an important continuation of the temple’s spiritual traditions and its long religious association with the people of Vasco.
