Hindu festivals have retained the unique Goan identity and are celebrated with deep fervour all across the State.
Dedicated to Lord Damodar, the ‘Saptah’ begins on the sixth day of the Hindu month of Shravan, following Nagapanchami.
The annual festival, which is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety in Vasco, actually lasts for a week, although the stalls selling various items linger on for over 15 days.
The festival, which is more than hundred years old, is celebrated in the Lord Damodar temple by all irrespective of caste or creed.
According to a legend, in 1898 the town was hit by cholera or plague epidemic. With poor health facilities at the time, the locals turned to Lord Damodar, an incarnation of Lord Shiva for help.
The residents of Vasco went to Lord Damodar temple at Zambaulim and brought a coconut as prasad to be installed for worship in Vasco. The initial installation was held at the Old Mata High School.
Their prayers were answered and the epidemic died out once the worship commenced.
A leading businessman at that time donated a part of his residence premises to install Lord Damodar’s idol. This make-shift temple is the centre of the celebrations and remains attached to the original residence till date.
The Saptah commences with the main pooja at the Old Mata High School from where the anointed coconut is taken out in a procession to the Lord Damodar temple. The coconut used for the previous year is taken out in a procession around the town and then immersed into the sea at Khariwado.
The chosen person, who carries the sacred coconut, is accompanied by troupe of dancers, who go around the town, visiting the residences of prominent citizens. Gopalkala, a troupe performance by the locals, is a sight to behold during the heavy rains. The dancers, who visit the houses, are drenched by water thrown by the people.
After the immersion of the old coconut, the people return to the temple and anoint a new coconut amidst singing of bhajans (devotional songs), which continue uninterrupted for 24 hours.
People from all over Goa visit the temple to seek blessings in the belief that their prayers will be answered. Devotees, who come to pay obeisance to the deity, offer fruits, agarbhatti, flowers, etc. They pray not only for personal peace and prosperity but also for the safety and welfare of Vasco’s citizens.
At night, a glittering ceremony takes place with specially decorated tableaux from various wards of the port town, which are known as ‘pars’. People from across the State visit the port town to watch the parade.
Noted artistes perform devotional songs at the cultural programme held in the night.
Massive crowds throng the temple located on the Swatantra Path, the main avenue of the town. The entire main road is closed for traffic during the seven-day celebration.
All along the roads and bylanes of the town, vendors from across India put up their makeshift stalls to sell everything from trinkets and toys to furniture and the latest in fashion.
The port town wears a festive look throughout the week.
