VITHALDAS HEGDE
vhegde3@herald-goa.com
OLD GOA: For generations many of those who vend flowers, wax body parts, grams and other sweetmeats in various jatras and feasts are people from various faiths. Truly the ongoing Exposition and the feast of St Francis Xavier are an epitome of communal harmony and a melting pot of religions.
St Francis Xavier is venerated not only by Catholics, but by people from all faiths.
O Heraldo spoke to some of the vendors who have put up their stalls at Old Goa. Amol Govekar, who has put up a sweet mart said, “I am the third generation owner running this enterprise. It was my grandmother, who started selling sweets, which was continued by my father, the late Bhikaro. I joined him in 2005 and now I am running it. It is our source of livelihood.”
Govekar said that they mostly put up their stalls at Old Goa
and for Our Lady of Milagres feast at Mapusa and other important jatras.
Reshma Shirodkar from Divar runs a wholesale outlet selling wax body parts and wax candles during the feast. She said, “I work for Nilesh Candles and we sell wax body parts and wax candles in bulk. Many vendors come to us, but these parts and candles are in bulk as they are in demand during the SFX feast".
She adds, People, including those with special needs, having “angvonn” (vow) definitely buy them and offer it to Goencho Saib. Devotees, pilgrims and visitors who come to Old Goa buy these wax articles and candle bundles if they have ‘angvonn’ and fulfil their vow by offering these wax articles and bundles of candles to their beloved Saint, seeking his intercession each year. We have prior orders.”
This year, vendors, who used to sell wax articles and wax candles, were seen at a different spot. Candles may be small, but for faithful offering them to Goencho Saib, their hope
is immeasurable.
Ketan Naik, a gram seller from Cumbharjua says that the festive season is yet to pick up. “I took over this business from my uncle 13 years ago. I was there for the last Exposition. But the sale is yet to pick up.” He has also put up a furnace behind his stall roasting grams.
Many pilgrims, who came to Old Goa, appeared pleased with the arrangements.
This year the arrangement is good and hassle-free, they said.
Noella D’Souza, a pilgrim from Karwar, said that they come every year for the feast and also during the other days as her relatives reside in Goa.
“I am happy to be here, we had no problem. It was disciplined and we took blessings of St Francis Xavier. From the start till the end, it was well organised. It was a kind of repentance. I have been here since my childhood days,” she said.
“My ‘angvonn’ has been fulfilled. I have my relatives here,” she said.
Blossom Pereira from Borim said, “Before my marriage, I used to come from Azossim to Old Goa for the feast every year. Unlike in the past, I must admit that I had a glimpse of the relics of St Francis Xavier this year properly. I was pleased.”
Her relative Tanya Pereira said that she was attending the novena after a gap of two years as she works abroad.
Ashley D’Silva and Vanessa Fernandes were happy with the arrangements made at Old Goa. They said that people coming from across the globe were able to attend the Exposition smoothly.