Hundreds of people from around and beyond the State thronged Vasco on Friday to participate in the 118th annual Damodar Bhajani Saptah, which began with traditional rituals at Lord Damodar temple, Vasco.
VASCO
Vasco-based businessman Paresh Joshi placed the Shreefal (coconut) at the feet of Lord Damodar, to mark the beginning of the Vasco Saptah.
The Vasco Damodar Saptah Committee President Anant Naik was also present along with other committee members during the placing of Shreefal at the feet of Lord Damodar. Devotees from across the State were seen standing in queue since the wee hours of Friday, while political leaders and industrialists from Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka, also visited the temple, as they sought the blessings of Lord Damodar.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar visited the temple late Friday evening to offer prayers and seek the blessing of Lord Damodar.
After the pooja was performed, devotees and committee members praised Lord Damodar with chants of ‘Bola Pundalika Varadhe Hari Vitthal' to begin the Bhajans and singing of devotional songs that will continue for next 24 hours.
The Vasco Saptah also attracts a lot of devotees from different religions as well who throng the temple to offer prayers to the Gram Daivat of Vasco Shri Damodar. The streets and by lanes along the Swatantra Path were decorated with lightings and different decorations, while various stalls selling clothes, toys, furniture, sweets, etc, are dotting along the Swatantra Path, the fair will be for 7 days.
A decorated Paar or floats with mythological themes were taken out in procession along with Dindi to the temple from various parts of the town by different groups of the community. The groups then took turns singing Bhajans.
The police and the traffic police have made elaborate arrangement at different locations. Police is keeping a close watch on the footages of various CCTV cameras installed at different locations in the city. The 24-hour Damodar Bhajani Saptah will conclude on Saturday when the holy Shreefal annointed will be taken in a procession along with Dindi and shouting of slogans ‘Gyanba Tukaram' before dipping in the sea and the procession will return to the temple and ‘prasad' will be distributed to the devotees.
