SIRIGAO ZATRA

 



The goddess shri Lahirai has her abode in the village of Sirigao one among seven sisters,this goddess manifest herself in the form of  a kalash-urn. Every year,in the month of vaishakh,this place host a traditional zatra, where the people from all over goa,cutting across the caste lines,coverage. 

One of the most important and interesting zatras of Goa,is the Sirigao  Zatra, held annually either in the month of April or May, in the mining village of sirigao. This zatra  is in honour of goddess Lahirai,  who is said to be one of the sisters of our lady of Miracles of Mapusa. 

Legend has it that the danavas (demons) once attempted to seduce Lahirai (one of the six virginal sisters),but failed. Lahirai thus began to protect the chastity of the village girls. Enraged by this,the danavas set fire to Sirigao, hoping to destroy both Lahirai and her devotees. But a higher force intervened and told Her of this move in her dreams. Gathering some of her faithful devotees, Lahirai walked over the fire and extinguished it.






A select band of men, called dhon,  are to perform the core of the rituals,play a pivotal role in the proceedings of this zatra. One can became a dhon, either by family tradition or as a way of fulfilling an Angvan-Nawas-divine promise. There are few ffamilies mandating the role of the dhon to some of it's member. Those seeking some specific favor from the goddess,agree to became a dhon when there wishes are fulfilled. Such men has to maintain ritualistic purity for the five days preceding the zatra. The purifying rituals include a strict ban on eating food cooked by others. A prohibition on drinking even a drop of water unless bathed. Wearing footwear constantly to protect one's feet from getting dirty. The Dhon is also not allowed to kill any animal, nor consume alcohol and meat. He is ordained to sleep only on a grass mat. 

At this zatra tons of wood are set ablaze accompanied by the chants and dancing of the colourfully attired dhonds (fire-walkers) waving their beth's  (staffs),invoking the blessings of the deity and her protection for the fiery ordeal.
 
The chief among the Chowgule picks up the urn and places it on the head of the temple priest or mode.
While outside, a shaman called Ghadi offers Garane-traditional prayers to the goddess, on behalf of the whole village. By the time the procession reaches the Homkhan,the mode is already in a trance and is possessed by spirit. At the Homkhan,the huge heap of wooden logs has burned down to a bed of red-hot coal. Here, the urn is supposed to be adorned only with mogra and pitkoli flower, when the procession reaches the fireplace, dawn breaks out. Now, a flower from the urn is thrown into the burning coals. However, it is believed that this flower does not get charred. If the flower is burnt,then this is considered to be a sign of divine displeasure. Prayers are offered once again on behalf of the whole village to propitiate the angry goddess. The other local deities or spirits like Denvchar amidst some more rituals. After this,the Dhon walks over the bed burning coals one after the other,in a specific rhythmic gait,to the accompaniment of beating drums in the background. The mode carrying the urn,walks through the fire at the end. 




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