BICHOLIM: With the cancellation of Shirgao Zatra, the flower vendors and other shopkeepers seem to be affected badly suffering huge losses.
It may be stated that the famous Shirgao Zatra, which was to be held on April 28, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the cancellation of this zatra along with other zatras from the villages seems to have badly affected those who were carrying on their businesses on them.
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“I have lost about Rs 3.5 lakh this year as I used to supply mogra (Jasmine) to all the flower vendors for this zatra,” Kalidas Ghadi, a wholesaler from Amona said.
“It is not just me but I also used to employ many others for making garlands and this year even they did not get the employment,” he informed.
“I get these flowers from different areas and then mogra flowers are used for several zatras in Mayem, Kudnem, Shirgao and other places.”
It may be stated the “dhonds” (devotees of Goddess Lairai) use these flower garlands in large number. It is not only the flower vendors who were dependent upon Shirgao Zatra but also the cloth merchants.
The devotees of this zatra wear new clothes and live away from their houses while doing penance.
“I had bought clothes which the ‘dhond’ uses and had invested more than six lakh for the same. But now as there is no zatra we will be at loss,” a cloth merchant from Bicholim stated.
Same is the case with sweetmeat sellers who have suffered as there are no zatras in the State.
