the goan I network
VASCO
The Murgao Hindu Samaj (MHS) Utsav Samiti organised the 64th annual traditional procession of Goddess Laxmi in a Palkhi (Palanquin) in the city of Vasco to mark Laxmi Pooja on Wednesday.
Speaking to the media, MHS member Shailesh Govekar said this is the only place in Goa where the deity is taken out in a Palkhi across different roads covering every corner of Vasco.
“This traditional procession is going on since pre-liberation era, for the past 63 years. This procession is one of its kind and the deity is put in a palanquin and taken in a huge procession across Vasco,” said Govekar.
Despite celebrating Laxmi Pooja at home, a large number of people from Vasco adjust their timings to seek the blessing of the Goddess Laxmi that moves around in a procession.
“What is even more extraordinary is that a large number of non-Hindu businessmen from Vasco seek blessings Godddess Laxmi as the deity is believed to bring prosperity to all businessmen in Vasco,” said Govekar.
The procession begins from the Sarmalkar family house, where the idol is taken and placed in a Palanquin, which then moves across the entire city amid the sounds of the dhol, drumbeats and dindi.
A lot of Hindu women also offer Honti and Khan (coconuts, rice and a blouse piece) as an offering seeking long life for their husbands during this procession.
The procession ends with the placement of the idol in a Dharmashala at Kharewado-Vasco.
A Pooja is offered to Goddess Laxmi in the Dharmashala over the next seven days and different cultural and religious programmes are conducted during these days.
A mahapooja is performed on the seventh day and a mahaprasad is served to all the devotees.
After seven days, the idol of Goddess Laxmi will be returned to the Sarmalkar family and will only be brought out again in a procession
next year.
