Mashelkars are delighted! Despite a delay
in the monsoon schedule this year, the rain gods seem to have timed it rather
perfectly for Mashel’s favourite festival. The incessant rains over the last
few days have made it perfect for the enactment of the traditional utsav of
Chikhalkalo. The festival is celebrated on a huge village ground which is full
of puddles of water creating a slushy platform for the games. Chikhalkalo is
dedicated to Bal Krishna playing with his friends in Vrindavan and is
celebrated as a sign of gratitude to the lord.
The 150-year old tradition of Chikhalkalo
is followed on Aashadi Ekadashi, the eleventh day of the Hindu calendar’s
Aashadh month, which is associated with Lord Vithal, the most popular form of
Lord Krishna. Siddhesh Acharya, pujari of the Devki Krishna temple, says, “On
the first day, a coconut is offered to the deity and devotees recite bhajans
which goes on for 24 hours. After the bhajan recitals of the second day, the
temple’s pujari distributes oil to the participants of Chikhalkalo who then
assemble near Jhadsankhal temple near the Devki Krishna ground. To the beats of
drums, cymbals and bells, and chanting “Jai Hari Vithal”, the participants,
enter the mucky ground where a variety of games, all ensuring a thorough mud
bath, are played. The tradition of dahi-handi which is enacted during the
festival of Janmashtami is also played out during Mashel’s Chikhalkalo. The
players then disperse to take a bath and return to the Devki Krishna temple to
sing devotional songs. The festival of Chikhalkalo concludes with the
distribution of prasad.
Vaibhav Bhagat, a resident of Mashel says,
“Memories of playing in the mud during their childhood are cherished by almost
every person. Chikhalkalo is the only day in the entire year where, despite being
adults, we can get dirty and indulge in the celebrations. This unique utsav
brings our little village together. On this day, Mashel is flooded with native
Mashelkars who come to their village regardless of their place of residence.”
According to the locals, one can get cured
of skin diseases and even cough and cold if they play in the mud during this
festival. Others say that Chikhalkalo is about getting close to Mother Earth.
All in all, Chikhalkalo is one Goan festival that celebrates nature with great
joy.
