SANGUEM: The annual zatra of ‘Gowladevi’ at Digi Marye in Karnataka was celebrated with great enthusiasm and religious fervor on Saturday. Thousands of devotees, both from Karnataka and Goa, made their way to the Gowladevi Temple, located on the Goa-Karnataka border, to seek the blessings of the deity.
Last year, devotees faced a harrowing experience on their way to the temple, with many, including elderly citizens and children, left without food and water for well over 12 hours due to traffic blockades on their way back home.
However, this year, the traffic flow was smooth, and devotees made their way back home after seeking the blessings of the deity without any problems, thanks to the presence of law enforcement personnel from both Goa and Karnataka stationed at strategic locations. Additionally, the restriction on the movement of six-wheeler vehicles to the temple after 9 am helped ease traffic congestion significantly.
Although the temple is located near the border in Karnataka, the affairs of the temple and the arrangements for the celebration of the zatra are managed by locals from Sanguem. This year, the committee was led by President Pradeep Velip, Secretary Mahadev Mirashi, and Advisors Manish Lambor, Sada Doifode, Vinod Velip, and Rajendra Mirashi.
The Zuna road to Karnataka through think jungle areas remains closed for vehicular traffic by the Forest Department during the rest of the year, it is only opened to public on the day of the Gowladevi Zatra.
To avoid commotions and blockages of vehicular traffic, the Forest Department permitted locals for the first time to clear the road from roadside bushes and level the road at strategic locations and sharp turns.
Meanwhile, locals from Sanguem have urged the government to complete the construction of the State Highway road to Zuna, which, though mentioned on the road map of Goa State, does not prima facie exist on-site. The construction of the road to Zuna from Darguinim in Uguem village would greatly benefit locals and travellers from Karnataka.
