MARGAO: The festival of Gulalutsav, held annually in Zambaulim, South Goa, for several centuries now, was celebrated on Tuesday amidst vibrant festivities, with businesses in Margao closing their shutters to join in the revelry. The celebration was organised by the Mathagramasth Hindu Sabha.
Thousands of devotees from across Goa and even Karnataka gathered to pay homage to the deity, participating in rituals and exchanging colourful gulal, a crimson-coloured powder. The highlight of the event was the Annasatra, where devotees shared a communal meal.
The palanquin carrying the idol of Lord Damodar was ceremoniously placed in front of the Shri Ramnath Temple. After religious ceremonies, devotees joyously exchanged gulal in the afternoon, after first offering it to the deity.
Commencing at around 3.30 pm, the festivities continued into the night with the Navardeva procession. The seven-day celebration, beginning on March 27, will conclude on April 3 with Dhoolpet.
To ensure the safety of attendees, over 600 police personnel were deployed along the route to Zambaulim, with additional traffic police presence and even a police outpost set up at Zambaulim to assist devotees. Superintendent of Police, South, Sunita Sawant said there were no untoward incidents during the festivities.