CUNCOLIM: Following the State government’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Shree Shantadurga Kunkalikarin Saunsthan celebrated their annual traditional “Sotreo” festival at Fatorpa, here, on Friday.
This year, the palanquin procession of Goddess Shantadurga Kunkalikarin started early and also concluded early. Every year, the palanquin procession would reach the original place of worship at Mulsthan-Taleabhat, at 3.30 pm. The palanquin of the Goddess would stop at Mulsthan-Taleabhat, at 5.30 pm for devotees’ “darshan” (viewing), but this year the palanquin reached the original place of worship at 2.30 pm and started its way back.
After the completion of the religious rituals, the devotees offered “gulal” to the Goddess. On the traditional way, Pakkhi called Govindghati was stopped at various places namely Mallagini, Juzengal, Siddhanagar, Naigilo, Bhivasa and Vhodi and provided “darshan” to the devotees.
The devotees dancing to the tune of “dhol tasha” and with 12 umbrellas of 12 Vangods welcomed the Goddess by offering a gift of Coconut and Votti. Goddess Shantadurga Kunkalikarin Saunsthan has a long tradition and history. When the Portuguese started conversion in the early 16th century, Cuncolkars fought hard for Swadharma and Swarajya. At the same time, Goddess Shantadurga Kunkalikarin was shifted to a safer place at Fatorpa for protection of “dharma”. From then, the Goddess settled at Fatorpa, and every year the Goddess visits her original place of worship at Mulsthan-Taleabhat.
It is said that the Goddess gave a vision to the devotees and ordered to get her back to Mulsthan-Taleabhat on every Falgun Panchami in the presence of Bara Vagadya. At the same time, Christian devotees also take part in this festival with great enthusiasm. This festival, which is an example of Hindu-Christian religious harmony, was celebrated in a disciplined and simple manner this year.
