The Running Knights

Mahadev temple, Sal

The Gadyachi Jatra an age old tradition of Bicholim is a part of the Shigmo festivsal of north Goa. The Jatra is a ceremony conducted by believers to appease the spirits and express their gratitude to Mahadev- the god of spirits. On this day over 15,000 rally in to participate by dancing and beating drums to rhythmic chants. The ceremony begins on the day of holi pournima. The wooden trunk of the gigantic mango tree near the Mahadev temple is decorated with leaves. As soon as a crowd (romat) comes to the mand' dancing to the beats of dhol and taso, as the villagers pray for blessings. The elderly folk sing continous chants of folk songs called “naman”.  People from local communities like Raut, Parab, Naik, Ghure, Mhale are some of the main participants and form the “Gade”. During the festival the Gade are believed to lose consciousness and be taken over by the spirits as they run around chasing mysterious torches lit by the spirits. They only regain consciousness when scared water is fed to them. One of the astonishing facts of this ceremony is that while these people run around in mayhem, surprisingly no one is ever hurt in the stampede. Even the older people will proudly tell you how they’ve been running for a track record of 50 years, some even more. I was truly mesmerized by this rather bizarre yet fascinating folk tradition. Speaking to locals, they told me about this continued tradition and how it helps clear out any anger or grudges that the spirits may hold against them. Even if you’re not a believer, the three night fair held after the festival is guaranteed to pique your interest

where are the 2nd floors in anjuna???

building opposite the STARCO junction, located in the heart of Anjuna

As the 600 year old legend goes, once a godess named Bhumika was crossing a village in Anjuna in her palanquin when she was spat upon by a man from the second floor of a building. In anger the devi cursed the locals in the vicinity that unfortunate events shall plague all that dare live on the second floor of any building.

Locals and the older generation swear by the myth being true and will readily tell you first hand experiences about this. One such building opposite the STARCO junction, located in the heart of Anjuna still stands abandoned. It was said that whoever resided in that building and tried running business ran bankrupt and that many other supernatural occurrences took place. Jayawant Marathe a 40 year old Pundit of the Bhumika Devi Temple (1971) said, “According to me whoever builds a first floor suffers one way or another. I myself have inaugurated the Domingo hotel which has always had one or another problem. The owners have had several complaints about supernatural acts taking place of which one was taps being turned on automatically.”

For rationalists theres not silly myth that's going to stop them from expanding their floors vertically. Domnic P F Fernandes an author of two novels based in Anjuna, has written books about Goa and its history. He speaks neutrally and agrees with the myth though admits it is more a folklore. “Although those who had a first floor did not succeed, currently there are many buildings having a first floor without any problems.” He feels if people believe in it they shouldn’t go ahead with building them, “You don’t build a house for yourself; you build it for the family so think about them and go ahead with it.”

While superstitions run on one hand, rumors too accompany them undeniably. Former Police Inspector Vishwesh P Karpe said that since the building was built, it has always been a problem for the locals while the foreigners go about with their business smoothly. He further claimed that though the police station has two floors, he and his colleagues have never witnessed any supernatural activity till date. “People spread rumors that there’s something going on here at the police station and that we police officers don’t complain about it. It is really hilarious.”

Someone who altogether has a different story to share is taxi driver Anil Govekar. He says that the myth actually says that tradition in those days said that if Goddesses pass through houses, the residents had to bring offerings to her. But one such resident sent an offering in the hands of the servant which got the goddess furious and led her to curse those living on the first floors.

Despite the fact that there are many who accept the myth there is a fair amount of the modernized lot who chose to go against the belief.

The hidden story behind Dudhsagar n Devil's Canyon

the devils canyon

 Devil's Canyon

Devil's Canyon also known as 'Devcharacho kond' that is suicidal for swimmers due to the slippery rocks, strong undercurrents and unfathomed depth. However apart from all the scientific and geographical explanation of the place, there is a age old story that flows down through the word of mouth. The story about this place is that everyday a villager used to ask the canyon's resident devil for fish by telling him that he had to entertain some guests. The devil who was curious, one day after following the villager saw him munching on the fish himself. He cursed that from then onward no one will be able to catch fish in the canyon, as he was furious at that time. Whether the curse still stands or no is the question unanswered. However the road to devils canyon is ‘the road less traveled’.

The Devil's Canyon situated near Molem at the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary is now a famous spot in Goa. In its jungles one can see some rare sightings of Black Panther and while here one can also visit the Tambdi Surla Temple that is situated nearby. The spot can also visited while on the way to or from the famous Dudhsagar waterfalls.

 

road less taken

way to d canyon

 Dudhsagar waterfalls
Dudhsagr as we all know it has so many tales untold. When we break the word in hindi (dudh) means milk and (sagar) mean ocean. Ancestors believe that’s there was a princess who loved bating at the lake near dudhsagar. Apparently she used to carry sweetened milk in a gold jug and drink it once she was done bathing. One day while bathing realised that she is being watched by a prince through the trees. red with embracement in bathing attire she started pouring the sweetened milk form the jug. This milk created a temporary blanket covering her body while the maids hurried to wrap her with clothes. Its still believed that it is the sweetened milk that gushes down the dudhsagar as a gratitude to the virtue and modesty of the princess.

mighty dudhsagar

the whole of dudhsagar

       

-photo credits : Lisvan Rodrigues

hey folks

 welcome to my blog Goa, India.

Goa need not require any introduction. It's indeed a slice of heaven on earth. The people who come to Goa for the first time stay amazed with it's beauty and fall in love with the culture and tradition of Goa. Goa being the smallest state of India is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful state of our country. People all around the world come to visit Goa mostly every year. Goa is a state that is full of tourists. Although Goa is tiny as it looks, it has numerous places that are still unknown to the tourists, hidden in the heart of Goa.
 I, in my blog intend to show you the unexplored Goa, tell you all about the untold tales, take you through the roads less taken to show the mesmerising inner beauty and all the hidden tourist places which are full of never-ending adventure, fun and excitement.