BICHOLIM: Shirgao village was deserted on Tuesday, unusual for the day of the Lairai zatra, but these are unusual times and police did not allow anyone inside the village.
The Shirgao zatra, one of the famous zatras in the State, brings thousands of devotees (dhonds) to the village, who come not just from Goa, but also from the neighbouring States.
Devasthan president Mahadev Gaonkar said that the temple is closed and urged all not to come to the village. “Today the usual rituals of puja, aarti were done and the temple was closed. We urge all not to come to the temple till the lockdown ends, and follow the norms set by the government,” Gaonkar said.
Shrigao has many shrines dedicated to a number of deities, but that of Goddess Lairai – considered to be an incarnation of Goddess Parvati – has particular reverence. The special attraction of this zatra is the crossing over the fire by the devotees.
As the devasthan committee had earlier urged the people to not visit the temple on the day of zatra and pray from their homes, the panchayat had also written to the Bicholim Police to seal the borders.
In view of this a strong posse of police was on duty at all entry points leading to the village. Some of the small lanes were also blocked with the help of boulders. There was special arrangements made by the police at Assonora and Poira. The police force from Bicholim and also Mapusa was stationed at the entry points.
“During the last two days, no one from the village has come out and all the roads are deserted. Only government servants have been allowed to go out from the village. We have deputed more than 50 staff in the village and the temple is closed for the public,” Bicholim PI Sanjay Dalvi said.
