WEDNESDAY, MAY 08, 2024
Team Herald
BICHOLIM: For the second consecutive year, the COVID pandemic has forced the authorities to cancel the famous ‘Shirgao Zatra’ of Goddess Lairai for devotees.
At a meeting held on Monday, Bicholim Mamlatdar Pravinjay Pandit directed the concerned authorities against having the famous zatra on large scale this year.
He also directed the police to close the village entry and exit points from May 12 to 17. However essential services, public transport and other emergency services will be allowed in the village.
"We have informed the Devasthan Managing Committee that in view of the order issued by North Goa District Collector under Section 144 of CRPC 1973, religious places for the public are closed. However, the custodian of such religious institutions may conduct regular rituals in the temple. Zatrotsav of Shree Devi Lairai Devasthan at Shirgao cannot be carried out by the devasthan committee due to COVID pandemic as lakhs of devotees/Dhonds visit Shirgao during the zatrotsav to pay obeisance to the deity," the mamlatdar said.
"Religious rituals can be carried out by the temple priest inside the temple. The Devasthan Managing Committee should disseminate the information to all people in the village and the general public stating therein that the temple of Shree Lairai Devi Devasthan Shirgao will be closed on zatrotsav due to COVID pandemic and devotees should not assemble in the temple precincts," Pandit added.
President of Lairai Devasthan, Mahadev Gaonkar, sarpanch Atchut Gaonkar; PSI Bicholim, PSI Traffic Cell Bicholim and fire officers attended the meeting.
The devasthan president said he will disseminate the information to the general public and only religious rituals will be performed by the temple priests during the zatrotsav.
Bicholim PSI sought assistance from the panchayat and the Devasthan Managing Committee to install barricades, etc.
Accordingly, the Mamlatdar requested the Shirgao sarpanch and the Devasthan Managing Committee to offer necessary assistance to the police.
Pandit directed the traffic police to depute personnel during the festivities and also instructed the fire officer to deploy personnel at the temple precincts to oversee the arrangements and prevent any untoward incident.
Pandit instructed the Electricity Department JE to illuminate the entry and exit points of the village and also the temple precincts. The officials were also directed to provide basic amenities to the police.
It is pertinent to note that the famous Shirgao zatra attracts not only devotees from Goa but also from neighbouring States.
