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GULAL FESTIVAL --- ZAMBAULIM - SANGUEM
Today 5th April 2005 Margao the commercial and cultural capital of Goa, also an important city in Salcete, South Goa District wore a near partial deserted look this afternoon onwards with many commercial establishments of the Hindus (Goan) closed.
It was the festival "gulal" (red colour powder) at Zambaulim, in Sanguem taluka nearly 21.7 kms from here. This festival has a great significance essentially for the Hindu Saraswat Brahmins (and now the Margao based " noveau riche" Hindu Bahujan (non Brahmin) Samaj mainly "posorkars" traders.
The temple of Lord Damodar is now re located on the banks of the river Kushavati in Sanguem Taluka after it was shifted during the Inquisition in 1565 from its original site at Modsai-Tembim , Velho Mercado, Margao where the present Holy Spirit Church now stands.
There is no recorded history to ascertain exactly why the Cristaos also were seen visiting this temple.
Apparently it
is believed that pagan worship pre-1980s mainly among the traditional artisans and workers or the Brahminico-Cristao "amalgam" witnessed since the Portuguese rule in the Velhas Conquistas (Old Conquests of Salcete Mormugao Ilhas and Bardez) was the reason for this joint devotion.
But after evangelisation and Healing Ministries started taking shape whether at Valankani in Nagappatinam Tamil Nadu or now Potta in Kerala and other sects like the Believers etc gained roots among the Roman Catholic faithful these devoutinal visits
----to Zambaulim by Cristaos have definitely minimised.
Polarisation of religious affinities is evident with traits of fundamentalism among the Hindus and Catholics gaining foot in the territory since the late nineties.
However some Cristaos who like this writere still believe -----strongly that all religions lead to one God ----even to this day pay obeisance to Lord Damodar.
After the rituals -- were performed at 1500 hrs the
devotees began to smear one another with red gulal (powder) but only on males --- No colour is sprinkled on females. Thereafter they bathed themselves in the river Kushavati --- which originates from the Western ghats -----obviously it is believed to have
healing powers as well.
Newly weds also were seen paying obeisance to Lord Damodar during this festival.
The entire organisation of the festivities is carried out by the Mathagramastha Hindu Sabha.
Hitherto Late Anant (Babu) Narcinva Naik veteran politician was the President of the Committee followed by his son Pandurang (Bhai) Anant Naik.
Preceding the festival there are daily religious functions held thro the nights and community meals is served to all the devoutees at the temple courtyard after huge donations are collected from the residents (Hindu Brahmins) of Margao.
It is significant to note that while prior to Liberation most of the commercial establishments in Margao were owned by the
Cristaos it is only after 1964 that the Cristaos have slowly "lost" most of their shops to the Hindu Saraswat Brahmins ( and now the Margao based " noveau riche" Hindu Bahujan (non
Brahmin)Samaj mainly "posorkars" traders.
On the day of "gulal" one can now easily count the number of Cristao shops as most of the Hindu) shops remain closed after noon.
Today however there was a slight difference. With the large scale migration of non Goan Hindus from North India and other parts most of the shops or commercial activities are now owned by migrants.
Muslims (from Karnataka) control business related to viz fruit, vegetable / auto-rickshaws, mini-buses, motorcycle
North Indians/Keralites (crafts/textiles carpenters/masons/ plumbers/interior decorators and Catholics(bakeries/resturant/ fast food/beauty parlours, etc)
Maharastrian (garment/tourist taxi drivers) the city does NOT reflect the non commercial
activity as witnessed in the past on this ocassion.
Also with almost every one having a two or a four wheeler the pressure on private bus transport has eased however the traffic becomes unmanageable after the "gulal" at Zambaulim and thereafter in the late evenings.
This festivity has also witnessed some tragedies -- in the past either by drowning "in situ" on the ocassion or some other fatal accident following excessive merriment.
This afternoon unfortunately there was a pall of gloom in Aquem Margao following a collision of two motorcycles resulting in the death of two youths both students.
GODFREY J I GONSALVES
BORDA MARGAO GOA
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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Links:
Sri Damodar Sausthan
Zambaulim , Quepem
Sri Damodar temple was originally situated in Mathagrama (Madgaum) and as shifted to Panchamahal at present site which was then under the king of Munda. The affiliate deities are Sri Ramnath, Sri Chamundeshwari, Sri Mahakali and Sri Mahesha. The Mahajans are from Kaunsha, Bharadwaj, Kashyapa and Vatsa gotras with Nayak, Shenoy, Pai, Shenvi surnames. The Pallakhi of Sri Damoder is taken on every Monday. The annual Jatra is held from Ashwin Poornima to Vadya Chaturthi. The Shigmotsava and Gulal of Zambaulim is famous in Goa in which all people participate irrespective of caste and religion. The temple has been renovated. Accomodation is available with modern facilities. |
![Sri Damodar -Zambaulim]() |
| Shree Damodar Temple, Zambaulim in Goa |
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Shree Damodar Temple, Zambaulim: This beautiful temple is situated on the banks of the Kushawati river. The deity was originally placed where the church of the Holy Spirit stands today and was moved during the time of the Portuguese Inquisition. The main festival celebrated here is the festival of Shigmo, which is the festival of colour.
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Sri Damodar Samsthan, Zambaulim, Quepem Post
Sri Damodar Samsthan was originally situated in Mathagrama (Madgaum) and was shifted to Panchamahal, which was under the King of Sunda. The affiliated deities of the temple are Sri Ramnath, Sri Chamundeshwari, Sri Mahakali and Sri Mahesha. The annual Jatra is held from Ashwin Poornima to Vadya Chaturthi. The Shigmotsava and Gulal of Zambaulim are famous in Goa and all the people participate in it irrespective of caste and religion. The temple was renovated. |
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Shri Damodar, Zambaulim, Sanguem : This temple is situated on the Kushavati river and is considered sacred by both the Hindus and the Christians.
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Shree Damodar: 22 kms. from Margao at Zambaulim-Sanguem, situated in picturesque surroundings on the banks of river Kushavati, popularly known as Panti. Near the temple, the river is regarded particularly holy and is said to have medicinal properties. The deity is worshipped by the Hindus and Christians alike. A week long celebration of Shigmo is packed with programmes which includes a colourful fair, exchange of gulal, collective meals and presentation of shows on popular legends and folk culture. The deity was originally in Margao.
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