At Navratri, Bicholim locals pay ode to their ‘beloved Shantadurga’

Times of India | 8 hours ago | 27-09-2022 | 04:52 am

Keri: The nine nights of the festival of Navratri during the Ashwin month has immense religious significance in the town of Bicholim and vicinity where various religious and cultural activities mark the 10-day celebration. Bicholim attained a lot of significance in commercial and economical context not only during the medieval, but also during the ancient period, as the river was connected to Mandovi’s navigable route through a small port situated at Bandirwada, a few metres away from the temple of goddess Shantadurga.The popular seven sisters’ folk deities, that connect with Goans irrespective of caste, tribe and religion, along with their brother Khetoba, came from the upper ghat region on elephant back to the presiding deity of Bicholim, goddess Shantadurga. As per folk belief, she granted them permission to establish their sway in the seven different villages of Goa. Tradition says that goddess Shantadurga has been the presiding deity of the town for over 600 years.Before the onset of mining activities, Bicholim was known for its rich agro-horticultural biodiversity and the villagers have been reaping bumper yields with the blessings of goddess. She is worshipped in the form of the ant-hill and that is the reason, from the first day after worshipping the sacred pitcher, various religious and cultural activities like bhajans and kirtans have been organised. Similarly, from the fifth to the ninth day, the idol is seated on a decorated swing known as the Makharotsav.Temple committee member Shamu Gaonkar told TOI, “Shantadurga is responsible for happiness and prosperity of the town since the past. During Navratri, locals participate wholeheartedly in all the festivities with utmost devotion as a mark of gratitude to the mother. The 10-day festival concludes on the day of Vijayadashami by taking the insignia (Tarangas) of deities Ravalnath and Bhutnath in procession till the border of Bicholim town. For the nine days, nine idols representing nine forms of goddess Durga are worshipped and then immersed in water on the night of the ninth day.”

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