Hectic preparations are underway to celebrate the famous Zatra of Goddess Lairai at Shirgao-Bicholim on April 30.
BICHOLIM
The festival is expected to attract thousands of devotees from across the State and neighbouring states. The Zatra will conclude with Kaulotsav celebrations on May 4.
Elaborate arrangements have been made in and around the temple for the festival. The Dhondachi Tali has been also cleaned to make it available for the Dhonds (devotees) to take a holy dip. Various temporary stalls have also been erected in the area.
Hectic arrangements are presently afoot near the venue of the Homkhand, as Devasthan Samiti members and other locals are engaged in preparing a Homkhand by arranging the firewood in a traditional pyramid.
The Homkhand is an integral feature of the Zatra, when the Homkhand is lit, the Dhonds walk over the embers. Before walking on the embers, the Dhonds begin their mandatory five-day fast on April 26.
Large amounts of firewood have been brought to prepare the Homkhand. Generally, firewood for the Homkhand is procured from Kawleraan Mayem-Bicholim. In many cases, devotees also vow to bring the firewood in case their wish is fulfilled.
The Dhond community members live in different temples and cook their own food, besides taking holy dips after an intake of any solid or liquid food. There are also female Dhonds, but they live separately or at home. One more community, known as ‘Chowgule Mankaris’, has also undergone fasting of nine days before the festival. The Chowgule Manakari also walks over the embers after the Dhond.
