Team Herald
CUNCOLIM: Thousands thronged Cuncolim on Sunday to seek the blessings of Goddess Shree Shantadurga Kunkolkarin at the annual Sotriyo Festival.
Dressed in traditional attire along with traditional turban “Feta”, devotees of Goddess Kunkolkarin danced to the tunes of traditional drums and applied “gulal” (colour) by participating in the festival with joy.
The procession of Devi Kunkolkarin commenced at 1.30 pm from Fatorpa from the traditional Govind Ghari route. The “Palkhi” reached the “mulsthan”, the original place of Goddess, at Toleabhat, Cuncolim, at 4 pm.
Locals welcomed the “Palkhi” and 12 Sotriyo by installing pandals and witnessed the Goddess “darshan” at Mallagini, Sidhnagar, Gotham, Bhivsa, and Voddi. The “Palkhi” reached at Toleabhat, were devotees sought her blessings.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, Maharashtra MLA Prakash Fataroekar, CES College principal Dr Sanjay Dessai and Sudesh Bhise were also present.
At 6 pm, the “Palkhi” returned to Fatorpa via Maddicotto, Demani, Cotto and reached the temple at 9 pm. Later the Dhulivandan Sotriyo utsav concluded.
The festival is not only of colours, but has a deep history and tradition. It is known as the festival of religious harmony.
On the way, the Catholic devotees welcomed Goddess by offering sweets and soft drinks to the devotees.
The locals believe that Our Lady of Health and Shantadurga Kunkolkarin, whom Catholics call Mamai Saibin, are sisters.
Once a year during the “falgun” month in the Rangpanchmi Day, Goddess Kunkolkarin visits her “mulsthan”, original place Toleabhat. It’s a unique festival wherein both Hindus and Catholics come together and celebrate.
