the goan I network
Bicholim
Keeping in mind the need to protect the environment, a plastic-free festival is being planned at the famous Shirgao Zatra on May 9.
This was stated by the Shree Lairai Sansthan Devasthan Committee President Mahadev Navso Gaonkar, while interacting with reporters.
Gaonkar also said there were initial plans to allot food stalls only to locals in order to avoid allowing Chinese food stalls run by outsiders. “However, since locals did not show their willingness, we had no option but to allot shops to the Chinese food sellers,” said Gaonkar.
Meanwhile, arrangements and preparations are afoot to celebrate the festival, which draws people from all over Goa and beyond, in its traditional manner. A group of devotees (chowgules) of goddess Lairai began their fast from Wednesday, while the Dhonds will observe their fast from May 5. “The fast is observed in order to participate in the Homkhand walk during the Zatra,” said a devotee.
