Shigmo
Shigmo is a social festival with a religious core. It is the Goan counterpart
of the Holi in the rest of India. On the Holi day, Puja is performed of
the stems of the teflam fruits or betel nut, struck on the ground before
the temple and a little grass put at their feet is then burnt. There are
a number of dances which burst forth on this occasion in the spirit of
plenty that marks the harvesting season when the barns are full
and a sense of satisfaction and mirth is bubbling all around
Gokulashtami, Mahashivratri and Brahmotsava are celebrated
at the temples of Goa with great splendour, when thousands of devotees
from all over Goa gather to pay homage to the deity. A famous fair known
as Jatra festival is held in the temple of goddess Lairai, situated in
the village of Sirigao in Bicholim taluka where thousands of people from
all over Goa come to pay their homage to the goddess. A special feature
of this Jatra is walking on burning coals by certain devotees
of the goddess popularly known as Dhonds.
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