TEAM HERALD
PONDA: Hundreds of people thronged to Marcel on Sunday to witness the annual Sangodotsav, celebrated in the Cumbharjua canal on the seventh day of Ganesh Chaturthi.
The Ganesh idol worshiped at Shantadurga Kumbharjuvekarin Temple, Marcel, is immersed in the waters after the Sangod (two canoes tied together and decorated) makes five rounds in the Cumbharjua canal.
On the occasion, some villagers immerse the seven-day Ganesh idol worshipped in their homes. Floats depicting mythological and current issues form the centre of attraction as thousands gather along the canal banks to witness the event.
“Every year, the rising numbers of visitors witness this traditional event, signifying its popularity,” said Swapnil Fadte from Tariwada-Marcel.
Though the exact year since when the Sangodotsav begun is not clear, but village heads claimed that the tradition dates back to hundreds of years.
It is been said that hundreds of years ago, a family known as Vadiye from Cumbharjua during Ganesh Chaturthi due to some unavoidable reasons kept their Ganesh idol at the temple of Shantadurga Kumbharjuvekarin and left the village. Since then, the villagers decided to worship the Ganesh idol at the temple for seven days.
According to information, the idol worshiped at Shantadurga Kumbharjuvekarin Temple at Marcel is carried in a procession to the Cumbharjua canal. The idol is then placed in the Sangod and accompanied by devotees the Sangod makes five rounds in the canal from Cumbharjua bridge to near Tariwada-Marcel wharf. After the fifth round, the idol is immersed in the waters.
To keep this tradition alive, the panchayat in association with the State government organizes float competition.
