The first day was marked by the traditional midnight Agni Divya ritual, during which thousands of dhonds performed the ceremony. Many devotees came to witness the event.
The district administration and police, under the guidance of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, made arrangements to ensure a smooth experience. There were no reports of inconvenience, and devotees appreciated the queue system for darshan and access to the homkund.
Police Inspector Vijay Rane and his team managed law and order and ensured crowd control.
Senior officials, including the Superintendent of Police and District Collector, worked together to ensure the festival passed without any incidents. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Mayem MLA Premendra Shet praised their efforts.
MLA Premendra Shet said that after last year’s incident, the administration had been preparing for six months to ensure safety. Regular meetings and planning helped in the smooth conduct of the first day.
After the Agni Divya, the Kaulotsav began on Wednesday. It is believed that the goddess visits every household in the village during this time. More devotees from Goa and nearby areas are expected over the next four days.
The district administration has issued guidelines to maintain safety and crowd control during the remaining days of the festival.
