Goemkarponn desk
CANACONA – The Tri-annual Ghodeanchi Zatra will be attended by 26 different sects/castes residing in the three villages of Poinginnim, Loliem and Kharegal at Shri Betal Temple Poinguinim on 21st May.
Ghodeanchi Zatra is celebrated in the name of Shri Betal, a highly respected deity of Poinginnim and surrounding areas.
Shri Parshuram Panchagram Devasthan President Udhay Prabhugaongkar along with ex-president Damodar Phalgaonkar, Executive Committee Member- Kavindra Phaldessai, Gyanand Prabhugaongkar, Nishakant Tengse Ramesh Velip were addressing media in Hall of Shri Parshuram Temple, Poinguinim.
Stating Shri Betal is one of the 5 main gods of Shri Parshuram Panchagram Devasthan, Prabhugaongkar said, the Ghodeanchi Zatra, traditionally observed every three years, brings together 26 different sects/Castes residing in the three villages of Poinguinim, Loliem and Kharegal. Ghodeanchi Zatra was last observed in 2017, however, missed the date during the Covid period, and this year will be attended by over 10,000 people.
‘The 22 days rituals will be attended by 26 different sects/Castes from the three villages of Poinguinim, Loliem and Kharegal, informed Nishakant Tengse.
On the day of Ghodeanchi Zatra, Ghode (The chosen men) will come running from about 10-12 kilometres to Shri Betal Temple. The ‘Ghode’ are then tied upside down (virtually hanging) to the top of and in-between the two wooden poles raised 50 feet above the ground and rolled over/rotated in the air as thousands of devotees watch this unique tradition with staunch faith. “This main function will be held on 21st May between 4 to 5 pm. We expect a heavy rush of devotees to throng this unique Utsav, and as such, we have made elaborate arrangements to park vehicles of the people coming in their own vehicles either in the Poinguinim Bazaar area or Galgibaga area. From there, Special Buses will ferry the devotees to the Shri Betal Temple”, informed Prabhugaongkar.
Explaining the rituals, these Ghode Those who partake in these rituals cannot take a bath for 7 days and only on 28th May, after having a dip in the Talpona river, comes back to the temple. And on the conduct of Rangoveli Pujan, the 22 day long rituals come to an end at Shri Betal Temple on 30th May. This is the only Utsav in Canacona which brings the different sects and castes together at Shri Betal Temple’,
