The stage is all set for the grand festivity of Chikhal Kallo at Marcel on June 29. As the rain begins in this part of the globe desolate landscape makes way for lush green surrounding with agrarian activity visible all around. And, this is also the time not only for economic activity but also enjoy the monsoon season with fun and frolic. Some regions have developed their own identity living by nature and the festivals are integral part. Come Hindu calendar month of Ashada, on Duvadashi day, temple of Shree Devkikrishna Devasthan of Marcel in Ponda taluka is in focus as one can experience what is it like playing with nature when the temple square in front of the temple turns into a Vrundavan. Besides Marcel, Chikhal Kallo is also celebrated with passion at Shree Vithal Rakhumai Mandir, Sanguem.
It is the festival when Krishna devotees are charged up, getting themselves smeared with mud, as playing games in the muck is order of the day on the occasion of Chikhal Kalo. We are told by elders not to soil our hands in mud when we were young, lest we catch some ailment, and we may fall back on some immunity boosters, but the actual immunity comes from nature. Some believe that wisdom our ancestors understood well and the very idea of festivals such as Chikhal Kallo must have evolved! In Marcel, the festival is celebrated for more than 100 years in the precinct of Shree Devki-Krishna temple which was originally located at Chorao before the advent of Portuguese rule in Goa.
The festivity begins on Ekadashi day with lighting of lamp and offering of Shree Phal (coconut) to the goddess. Devotional songs (Bhajans) are played whole night till the next day as the Krishna devotees of all ages gathers in the temple. Devotees put up vermillion (tilak) on their forehead and smear their bodies with coconut oil (oil is offered on this solemn occasion by the family of local shopkeepers, Govekar and Palang). After circumambulating the deity, the Pujaris, Bhagat, Mahajan and all devotees of Krishna run to the temple square with beating of drums creating a festive atmosphere. It is a day when all differences between various communities and religions get blurred and everyone gets immersed in the festivity as each participant considers oneself as Lord Krishna and his friends.
Various games that are played that include running through a human tunnel, tug of war, dog and bone, blind fold, frog game and others, but forming a rotating human wheel (Chakra) by touching legs is a challenge as it is difficult holding someone due to slippery bodies. Lifting someone and throwing and splashing mud is an integral part of fun activities taken sportingly and getting smeared with mud is considered as divine. Resident of nearby village of Cumbharjuva, Vinod Phadte recollects, “It was all always a fun participating in the festivity. It is not just enjoying the moment in the mud, but sometimes it is a
duel between two persons as if taking some revenge though not harming anyone.”
As one of the final act, the revellers get divided into two groups and poke fun at one another though minding their language. The last act of muddy affair is the mock wedding ceremony of two teenage boys acting as bride and groom that delight the masses for its humour filled presentation. Chikhal Kallo is not complete as everyone gathers under the Pipal tree as human pyramid is made and one of the youth breaks the pot containing curd (Dahi Handi), which Lord Krishna is known to love the most.
No festival is complete without the special delicacies that are served on the occasion. Sweets such as Chapati Boll, Coconut Panchakhaj, Puran Poli and ladoos are thrown towards the revelers who jump in air to try their luck as everyone needs a bite after the tiresome time in the slush, before they come back to their self cleaning all the residue at the village well before they participate in the grand Aarthi Puja.
Chikhal Kallo is not just getting earthy tinge all over the body, but a celebration of our relation to nature, which is best exhibited in this temple village of Goa. Experience it for a feel of the earth.
