Damodar Narvekar carries the Shreefal to Kharewado Beach, joined by other members of the procession.
VASCO
The religious rituals of the Akhand Damodar Bhajani Saptah concluded on Sunday afternoon with the “Samapti” ceremony and the immersion of the Shreefal (coconut) anointed the previous year at Lord Damodar’s feet, in the Arabian Sea.
Many devotees from across Goa gathered at the temple for the Samapti ceremony. The Saptah Festival traditionally starts with the Joshi family placing the Shreefal, and the Samapti ritual begins with the Narvekar family immersing the previous year’s Kaul.
Damodar Narvekar explained that this year, their family is conducting the Samapti on a grand scale, starting the rituals earlier to mark the 125th year of the Saptah festival. The Shreefal was carried in a procession to Kharewado Beach, where it was immersed in the sea, concluding the religious part of the Saptah. Afterward, prasad was offered at the temple, marking the end of the Damodar Saptah.
On Sunday afternoon, a large number of devotees, along with Damodar Narvekar, took part in the Samapti. The procession, performing the Dindi, moved towards Kharewado Beach where the Kaul was immersed.
The procession included groups singing bhajans and dancing, and a final bhajan was performed at the Kharewado jetty before the immersion.
After the immersion, prasad, usually fruits, was distributed, and the procession returned to the temple singing devotional songs. Traffic police managed the route to ensure smooth movement of the procession.
The Samapti ritual concluded when the procession entered the temple, danced around, and sang bhajans. The final Pooja of Lord Damodar was performed, and prasad was distributed to everyone present.
The temple will remain open for devotees wishing to receive Lord Damodar’s blessings. Stalls selling clothes, sweets, and traditional items will stay around the temple for the next seven days, attracting visitors and devotees from across Goa.
