KERI: Dussehra this year is being celebrated amid Covid-19 protocol. The seventh month of the lunar calendar, Ashwin, has great importance as far as farmers are concerned. The paddy is ready for dehusking. The first crop is offered to the presiding deities of the village -- a tradition followed in Goa.
On the ninth day of the first fortnight of Ashwin, sweet dishes are offered to the deities which are then relished on by the members of village community.
In Mayem, the entire village remains occupied in farming activities during the rainy season. As Navratri approaches, community members visit fields and bring panicules in procession and offer it to the deities.
Speaking to TOI, Suryakant Gaonkar from Bhuipal Sattari, said, “Goa is an agricultural state. Villagers remain busy with farms activities during rabi and kharif seasons. Dussehra is the occasion to express gratitude to the mother earth for its life and livelihood sustaining abilities. Insignias (Tarangas) are taken into procession to express thanksgiving.”
From Canacona to Pernem, villagers celebrate Dussehra with varied festivities and rituals. Savaloram Mandrekar from Nagzar-Pernem said, “Every year, ritualistic marriage between feminine and masculine principles representing Mauli, Bhumka, Sateri and Ravalnath, Bhutnath and Mahadev, respectively, is performed.”
In the past, after celebrating Dussehra, communities indulged themselves in warfare for safeguarding honour and sovereignty by displaying their bravery. The occasion was considered auspicious to start new ventures.
For Dhangar community, Dussehra festival is the occasion to pay respect to the Mhalchi pandhari, the iconic form of mother goddess. Two days before Dussehra, this community performs different rituals, and on the day of festival, they take out sacred cane box (Devacho pood) and worship clan deities. To mark the occasion, the Gajanrutya, a folk dance is performed by wearing the traditional attire and head gear on the tune of percussion instrument Dhol.