PONDA: The cultural heritage of Goa has endured through the generations, with efforts to preserve it continuing into the future. In the village of Adulashe, situated in the Borim panchayat area, the farmers uphold this tradition while also demonstrating a deep reverence for nature and animals. A unique aspect of their cultural practice is the annual celebration known as Magarichi Pooja, for which they craft and worship a crocodile figure. Adulshe – Borim lies along the banks of the Zuari river, historically a hub of agricultural activity. In the past, farmers built bandhs or dams to safeguard their fields from saline water intrusion. Legend has it that during a catastrophic breach of one such bandh, a crocodile in the river prevented the water from entering the fields, saving their crops. This event inspired the farmers to fashion a crocodile figure from mud and venerate it on the new moon day preceding the month of Magh each year.
On Friday, local farmers gathered at the bandh to mold a sizable crocodile figure out of mud, ceremoniously placing an egg within it and adorning it with five coconuts before offering their worship. Sadanand Muli has been faithfully performing this ritual since 1985, following in the footsteps of his father.
During the Magar puja, attended by 24 members of the Farmers’ Committee, notable figures such as Pournima Kerkar and the animal enthusiast Charan Desai were also present.
Desai noted the increasing conflict between humans and wildlife as habitats overlap. However, in Adulshe village, a harmonious coexistence between humans and animals is evident, exemplified by the reverence shown towards the crocodile during the Magar puja. Desai has personally witnessed this symbiosis over the past seven years of attending the ceremony, marveling at the unwavering faith of the villagers.
