The very popular deity, the Rakhandar of Mapusa, Bodgeshwar—named after the pandamus plant species (Bodgin)—is revered throughout the year, especially during the annual jatra, which was once an eight-day event but now extends to fifteen days. People from across Goa come to Bodgeshwar with banana offerings. The entire Bodgeshwar temple area, stretching up to Mapusa Chowk, lights up with the most eye-catching giant wheel, along with numerous small shops selling all sorts of goodies.
The concept of a Rakhandar was originally to sustain the ecology of the land, but today, the situation is drastically different—and gravely disturbing. Every day, the Bodgeshwar jatra draws huge crowds of people, bringing with them an unwelcome companion: plastic. Everything is sold in plastic bags, carried in plastic, and ultimately dumped in the temple area itself. By the end of five days of the jatra, heaps of garbage pile up in every corner, and with each passing year, this mountain of waste only grows. Strong winds carry plastic bags far and wide, worsening the pollution.
Once the jatra concludes, the entire Bodgeshwar area is left in a full-blown garbage crisis, with stray dogs and cattle feeding on the waste, further aggravating the problem. While many public-spirited organizations and concerned citizens voluntarily gather to clean up the area after the annual jatra, their efforts remain futile in the face of the overwhelming litter.
Despite widespread awareness of the environmental hazards posed by plastic, the temple management committee has consistently failed to address this recurring plastic disaster. This is a human-made crisis, one that can be easily resolved by simply banning plastic during the jatra.
Regular awareness campaigns promoting "No Single-Use Plastic" should be actively undertaken by the temple committee among devotees and shopkeepers well before the jatra begins. Strict actions and fines must be imposed on those who do not adhere to these regulations. Every citizen must take personal responsibility by avoiding plastic bags and opting for reusable alternatives. Offerings to the deity need not be wrapped in plastic but can be sold in cloth bags instead. Furthermore, proper segregation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste—a rare sight in the temple premises—must be strictly implemented.
Our ancestors have always recounted stories of Bodgeshwar Rakhandar passing through to aid people in times of need. Legend warns: “This is his pathway. Do not block the route, or grave misfortunes will befall you.” We have already encroached upon his sacred space with concrete structures—do we now burden him further with plastic waste? Or will we take responsibility for our actions? This is something we all need to reflect upon—and act upon—before it’s too late.