Novo Somvar festival celebrated at Bicholim

Bicholim: The Novo Somvar festival of Bicholim town was celebrated by thousands of devotees on Monday. The festival is associated with the local goddess Shantadurga and was celebrated at the temple dedicated to the goddess at Gaonkarwada, Bicholim, by the Gramastha Gaonkar Mandal.

The festival was also celebrated in the temple premises of Laxminarayan Shantadurga Mutt Mandir, Atil Peth, by Gurufund Trust and Bazarkar Dahajan Novo Somvar Utsav Samiti, Bicholim, with pomp and fervour in the presence of thousands of devotees throughout the state.

The festival concluded on Tuesday afternoon after the palanquin procession at both places entered into the temple. Religious rituals like Mahabhishek, Laghurudra, and Garhane were performed. The palanquin procession, which is the prime ritual, began in the night and winded through the streets of Atil Peth, Sonar Peth, Bhailipeth, Bordem, Wadakade, Gaonkarwada, and Mandrekarwada before entering the temple on Tuesday. A large number of married women offered ‘oti’ to the goddess besides performing ‘pancharati’.

Devasthan president Satish Gaonkar said that this year they had replaced the old face of goddess Shantadurga with a new one after more than 60 years, and this was a historic achievement.


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