The 62nd annual Shree Naguesh Devasthan
Bhajani Saptah celebrations kicked off amidst religious fervour yesterday, by
devotees of the Naguesh deity at Nageshi by worshipping traditional musical
instruments and chanting Jay Jay Ram Krishna
Hari. The week-long traditional programme will continue uninterrupted till
Monday, August 18 and will conclude on Gokulashtami with the breaking of
Dahihandi – a tradition that is not only popular in Ponda but all over Goa. The
Bhajani Saptah is known to attract many famous Bhajan artists from different
parts of the country who participate along with the local devotees and sing devotional
songs at the temple.
The tradition of Saptah in Nageshi that is
observed in the month of Shravan was commenced by the Late Jagannathbuva
Borikar, many decades ago. Like every year, this year too the Saptah began with
religious rituals and with the lighting of the traditional lamp by Prasad
Gaonkar. The Gaonkar family enjoys the traditional honour of lighting the lamp.
Purohit Prasad Joshi performed the religious rituals along with the locals and the
Saptah committee members who offered prayers (Garane) to the deity seeking peace, prosperity and safety of
villagers. Bhajan artist Prasad Volvoikar began the week-long programme with
his Bhajan supported by fellow artists.
Shivnath Nageshkar, an elderly resident of
Nageshi, has been participating in the festivities every year. He says, “There
are many temples in Ponda which host the Bhajani Saptah. Some have reduced the
duration of the programme to 24 hours but the residents of Nageshi-Bandora are
proud to celebrate it for an entire week without interruption. The tradition of
the procession of Govinda and breaking the Dahihandi is synonymous with the
Saptah. I am proud to have had the honour of breaking the Dahihandi for two
consecutive years during my youth.”
Atul Naik, a young resident of Nageshi, feels
that traditions like these are rooted deep within the hearts of people. He
says, “The Bhajani Saptah is the time for us to enjoy the inner peace, feel one
with God and experience his presence all around us.”
People from all walks of life participate
in the week-long festivities. Every day a tableau depicting the cultural and
traditional mythological themes is brought in the night. Each day of Saptah
witnesses the tableau prepared by people of the six waddos while on the seventh day, the people carry out a procession
of the common tableau. With lighting, decoration and creative artworks, the
tableau is a sight to behold in the night.
