By james art The festival of lights, Diwali is in full swing across the state and country bringing joy and happiness to all. It is the celebration of the victory of good over evil and people worship Goddess Laxmi to bestow abundant wealth and prosperity in life. All these Diwali rituals are very common in most places, but some customs stand out for their inimitable tradition, such as in the village of Marcel in Ponda.
The festival of Gorvacho padvo or Gorvan Utsav or Denlo padvo or Gökridanotsav is something special for this village full of history. It is considered to be the only place in the country that has a temple dedicated to mother and son which is Sri Devki-Krishna Devasthan where this festival is held. “This festival belongs to Lord Krishna and his life centered around rearing cattle or taking them to pasture. It is celebrated by the devotees who live in the Deuluada area,” informs educationist Premanand Shirodkar, a prominent villager who has seen the festival evolve from a very early age.
Premanand says, “Before the temple ritual, most of the houses around the temple prepare a small cowshed made of cow dung with a Rakno (guardian). Puja is performed by offering Naivedhya of Pollea (sweet dosa), rice and milk.” The celebration begins after the morning ritual by the temple priest, a baby Krishna idol Bal Gopal is placed in the Khandyavailo Rath which is decorated with flags (Gudi), an image of monkey god, Maruti and Uptagir having a rounded design. The puja of the Rath is conducted by the priest followed by that of the cow (cattle).
After the tour of the Shree Devki-Krishna Temple, Raths visit each house with the festive folk music of Dhol (drum) and Tashe, humming the popular song ‘Arey Majya Panduranga Sakhyacha Govinda’. Pooja and Aarti are performed by one of the family members and everyone is blessed by touching the Rath. “While fruits, vegetables and even Vhodyo (made from Kunvaloh, a clear gourd) are offered to the deity, the most important offering is a garland made up of Doodh Peda (milk sweet), a tradition that is more than 100 years old,” narrates Shirodkar.
As Lord Krishna was always fond of milk and curd (dahi), devotees started this tradition of offering Doodh Peda on the occasion. By the time the Rath reaches the Shree Mallinath temple, it is already past one afternoon.
The Rath remains at the Mallinath Temple till 5:00 PM and then returns to the Shree Devki-Krishna Temple as the Dhol-Tashe folk music and song echoing the festive mood continues for another hour. Again in the evening, while playing folk music, the Lalkhi and Palkhi (Palaquin) are taken in a solemn procession to the Shree Mallinath Temple and then back to the Shree Devki-Krishna Temple.
“There are some pastimes where Gudi na Palhi are not distributed, but according to tradition, devotees compete with each other and grab them as an offering from the deity, which is taken home and ceremoniously installed with prayers. All the offerings to the deity from the devotees are then auctioned off, but the most valuable item is undoubtedly the sweet garland of Dud Pedas,” confirms Shirodkar.
Another Rath representing Devaro (place of Puja) is taken in a grand procession from the neighboring Gadgosh Temple in Chimuluada which is taken to every house where people perform Aarti and offer Naivedya to the deity, keeping the rich cultural and religious tradition alive with full dedication . Festivals and Zatras are the time to experience the uniqueness and Marcel offers enough variety
of culture.