PONDA: Despite tension prevailing between two communities- the GSB Mahajans and the Bahujan villagers of Marcaim- due to a fresh dispute over the collection of temple donations, the Zatra festival of the Navdurga Temple witnessed a huge rush of devotees who participated in the celebrations with great enthusiasm.
The unique tilted idol of Goddess Navdurga Devi, with a history going back several centuries, is a big attraction to Goans across caste lines, and many devotees observe a fast dedicated to the goddess to mark the Zatra festival.
The matter of the ownership of the 17th century temple is currently subjudice, after disputes arose between the two communities over the replacement of the Durga idol in 2016. The Mahajans had proposed to replace the idol, citing that cracks had developed in the idol of the deity. This was opposed by the villagers, who are mostly from the Bahujan community, and the matter of the ownership claim was taken up in court.
This year, the Court had recently appointed a government officer to accept the donations of cash, gold, valuables, sarees and perishable items that come in during the Zatra festival. Tensions flared between the two opposing groups over the manner in which the donations should be accepted, but after mediation efforts, the matter was resolved. The festival was held in a grand manner, in the presence of a large number of police personnel deployed to control the situation in the event of a conflict.
A large crowd of devotees thronged the Rathotsava, or the procession of the temple chariot. Shops selling sweets, toys and other goods were set up in the temple area.
During the festival, the Food and Drug Administration raided and shut down the stalls selling Gobi Manchurian, after they received complaints that the cauliflower snack was unsanitary.
