BICHOLIM
A sea of devotees marked the Ashadhi Ekadashi celebrations at the Shri Viththal-Rukmini Temple at Viththalapur in Bicholim taluka, popularly known as Goa’s ‘Prati Pandharpur’. From the early hours of Thursday, thousands of Warkaris and devotees from across Goa and neighbouring Maharashtra gathered at the temple to seek the blessings of Lord Viththal and Goddess Rukmini.
The celebrations began with the Kakad Aarti, followed by the Maha Abhishek, Maha Puja, Haripath, devotional bhajans, kirtans, namasmaran and the traditional palkhi procession.
The temple was decorated with flowers, while the temple committee and volunteers made extensive arrangements for smooth darshan, crowd management, distribution of Mahaprasad and traffic regulation.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the temple, offered prayers and wished the people of Goa peace, prosperity and well-being.
Greeting the people on Ashadhi Ekadashi, Sawant stressed the need to preserve India’s rich cultural heritage, the teachings of the saints and the values of the Warkari tradition.
Among those who offered prayers were Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, BJP State President Damu Naik, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, Mayem MLA Premendra Shet and several other public representatives.
The celebrations drew social workers, members of Warkari groups, temple committee office-bearers, local residents and thousands of devotees.
Bhajan mandals performed devotional abhangas throughout the day, creating a spiritual atmosphere.
Traditional Warkari processions carrying saffron flags entered the temple premises to the rhythmic beats of the tal and mridanga and were welcomed in the customary manner. The enthusiastic participation of women devotees and the voluntary service of young people added to the occasion. Many devotees observed a day-long fast before taking darshan and receiving Mahaprasad.
The Shri Viththal-Rukmini Temple at Viththalapur is widely revered as Goa’s ‘Prati Pandharpur’. Like Pandharpur in Maharashtra, which attracts lakhs of devotees during Ashadhi and Kartiki Ekadashi, the temple has become an important centre of the Warkari tradition in Goa.
