The Homkhand which has been prepared for the ‘Agnidivya’, a ritual of walking on embers, during the famous Jatrotsav of Shri Lairai Devasthan at Shirgao.
BICHOLIM
Thousands of devotees from across and beyond the State will flock to Shirgao to participate in the famous five-day Jatrotsav of Shri Lairai Devasthan from Thursday.
The festival is famous for ‘Agnidivya’, a ritual of walking on embers of the ‘Homkhand’ (bed of embers).
Shirgao village has been abuzz with activity, with arches erected at various places and houses decorated with lights. Hundreds of shops have been set up to sell sweets, toys and clothes. The entrance to Assonora is also beautifully decorated with hundreds of shops, as traders expected a huge number of devotees to participate in the festival.
Thousands of Dhonds have arrived in the village and observe a five-day fast, before walking on the embers.
The ‘Homkhand’ is an integral feature of the Zatra and when the Homkhand is lit, the Dhonds walk over the embers.
Large amounts of firewood have been brought to prepare the Homkhand. Generally, firewood for the Homkhand is procured from Mayem-Bicholim. In many cases, devotees also vow to bring the firewood in case their wish is fulfilled.
"We are all ready for the festival of Goddess Lairai. We are fully prepared for a large number of devotees coming to the village. The temple committee and the administration has also taken full precautions," said Sarpanch Bhagwant Gaonkar.
Due to the Covid pandemic, the festival had been restricted for the last two years and devotees are now pleased that the festival will be held on a large scale this year.
