Thousands expected for Pilgao zatra
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
PORVORIM, JAN 16
Thousands of devotees are expected in Vargao-Pilgao between January 18 and January 22 to participate in the annual Zatra of Sree Chamudeshwari Devastan.
The highlight of the famous Zatra is the ‘Naukavikar’ of the deity in the lake amidst spectacular fireworks.
Addressing a press conference in Mapusa, president of Chamundeshwari temple Tushar Tople said thousands of devotees from the State and neighbouring states are expected visit the temple during the festival.
“It is 500 years now that the Chamudeshwari deity has been shifted to Pilgao. Two years ago, the ‘punarprathistapana’ of the deity was performed with religious rituals,” he said.
Commenting on the schedule of events during the five-day festival, Tople said an Abhishek and Mahapooja will be performed in the morning on January 18, followed by Rangapooja, Puranvachan and Palki utsav in the evening.
On January 19, Abhishek and Mahapooja will be performed in the morning, following by the ‘Dindarshika’ of the deity Chamudeshwari at 9 pm.
A ‘Kalotsav’ will take place on January 20, followed by an auction of items donated to deity between 8 pm and 9.30 pm, followed by fireworks. The procession of the deity will be taken out at midnight followed by the Naukavihar of the deity in the lake.
On January 21, rituals will be performed in the morning, followed by the Gavalankala at 3.30 pm and recital of devotional songs at night.
On January 22, the Abhishek and Mahapooja will be performed in the morning. After the Palkhi procession at night, the Kala Chetana at Volvoi will stage a drama “Three Idiots”.
Various arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the festival and Tople has appealed to devotees to follow the instructions of authorities to make the Zatrotsav an eventful one.
