MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2024
Team Herald
Devotees of Dambab are gearing up for the much-anticipated Shigmotsav celebrations in Zambaulim. The festivities commenced with great zeal as the procession of the sacred coconut made its way from Margao to Zambaulim's Damodar temple.
The procession, originating from the late Pandurang Keni's residence in Comba, Margao, marked the initiation of the Shigmo festivities in Zambaulim. Before the procession, the coconut underwent revered worship with all accompanying religious ceremonies, underscoring the significance of the event.
Amidst chants and religious fervor, devotees accompanied the holy coconut along the Abade Faria Road in Margao, symbolizing the journey towards spiritual fulfillment. The celebrations at Zambaulim Gulalutsav are slated to commence at 3 pm on Tuesday, April 2, with the Navardeva procession scheduled for 11 pm on the same day. The week-long festivities will culminate on April 3 with the Dhoolpet ceremony.
Central to the tradition is the belief surrounding the deity "Lord Damodar," whose relocation from Margao to Zambaulim holds deep cultural and religious significance. The ritual, upheld for over a century, sees devotees gathering at the Keni residence in Margao for the coconut puja before embarking on the procession to Zambaulim.
Speaking on the tradition, devotees emphasized its enduring importance, highlighting the obligation felt by the people of Margao to participate in the Shigmo celebrations and Gulalotsav in Zambaulim. The festivities span five days, commencing with the coconut puja and culminating in the symbolic handover of temple responsibilities from the Mahajans to the Madgaokars for a week, concluding with the Dhulvhat celebration.
Throughout the week, devotees are offered mahaprasad, underscoring the spirit of communal harmony and shared devotion. The celebration also features traditional plays and rituals, including the unique Navro Vakal marriage ceremony, adding to the richness of the cultural tapestry that defines Shigmotsav in Goa.
