Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The age-old tradition of decorating the wooden canopy over the head of the Ganapati idol in Goa reflects the deep botanical knowledge passed down through generations.
In Goa, the wooden rectangular frame placed above the worshipped clay idol of Ganapati is decorated with a variety of seasonal floral wealth, symbolizing a prayer for nature’s blessings. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival—celebrated from the fourth day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month Bhadrapad—coincides with the flowering and fruiting of numerous herbs, creepers, wild plants, and cultivated crops such as paddy and millets.
Tanaji Gaude from Talule, Bandoda (Phonda) explains, “Since ages, our ancestors have believed that Ganapati, the son of Goddess Parvati and the earth itself, is the harbinger of seasonal biodiversity. To express our gratitude, we have been decorating the Matoli.”
Gaude, a regular participant in the state-level Matoli competition organised by the Government of Goa, showcases not only botanical heritage but also socio-cultural creativity. In 2023, after visiting Tirupati, he recreated the image of Lord Balaji in his Matoli using spices, paddy, and other floral elements. “Our family are agriculturalists. We grow cucumbers, pumpkins, and other seasonal vegetables and also hold traditional ethnobotanical knowledge. Through the Matoli, we display medicinal plants and their uses,” he adds.
In 2024, at Priol (Gauthan), Datta S. Naik crafted a Matoli using biodegradable elements, depicting the folk deity Lairai from Shirgao. He recalls, “Ganesh Chaturthi is my favourite festival because it gives us the opportunity to express creativity. Inspired by the goddess Lairai—worshipped since ancient times at Mudder in Shirgao in the form of an ant hill amidst lush forests—I presented her through the Matoli.”
For the Satarkar family of Rait, Curti, Matoli is a family affair. Every year, members from across Goa gather at their ancestral clay house to collect roots, shoots, herbs, leaves, fruits, and flowers—plants that are part of ethnobotany, cuisine, and everyday livelihood. “Many people visit our house during Chaturthi to enjoy the heritage we showcase through the Matoli,” says Shrikant Satarkar.
Others have also used the tradition to blend devotion with ethnobotanical awareness.
•Gajanan Bandekar of Poinguinim, Canacona displayed Lord Vithal using medicinal plants.
•Devu Shetkar from Pilaye, Dharbandora emphasized the use of indigenous plants for food, medicine, fodder, resin, fibre, tannin, oil, and oxygen. This year, his Matoli depicted Operation Sindhoor as a tribute to departed souls at Pahalgam.
•Vishant Gaude of Kelbai-Curti recreated the forest spirit Kaantara in his Matoli last year.
Every year, the Directorate of Art and Culture organizes the Matoli competition, but participation has been steadily declining. “The government must step in with financial support to revive this tradition. Students should also be encouraged to visit Matolis to learn about the ethnobotanical heritage of Goa,” appeals Shetkar.
This year, Antara Jewellers (Ponda) organised a competition with a lucrative first prize of ₹50,000. Participants believe that government sponsorship, larger prizes, and active youth involvement will help safeguard and pass on this unique tradition.
The Matoli, blending devotion, creativity, and knowledge of nature, continues to stand as a living heritage of Goa’s bond with its flora and culture.
