Goa: Pomp makes its way to Adpai’s ‘kutumb’ immersion tradition

PONDA: For the people of

Adpai

in Ponda taluka, immersion of the Ganesha idol is a unique tradition, one that involves a procession of the idols along with an equal number of tableaux depicting various mythological themes as well as current issues.

The village came alive to the thrum of devotional songs on Tuesday evening as the 17 ‘kutumbs’ (joint families) took out their idols in procession for immersion on the completion of five days of festivity.

This year, the Borkar tableau was an acknowledgement of the service of frontline warriors. It carried messages that praised and thanked them for their relentless efforts.

All the idols were taken to the Datta mandap in the village and after a last joint prayer, the idols were immersed in the

Zuari

. Several canoes were arranged to take them to the middle of the river for immersion.

Adpai is well known for its kutumb Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, which sees clan members from all over congregating at their ancestral home. These 17 ‘kutumbs’ include the Kurdikar, Khandeparkar, Borkar, Mahalaxmi Bandodkar, Pokle, Soshebhatkar, Khumne Bhatkar, Mardolkar, Shivamba Lotlikar, Khandekar, Khalche Mule, Madhle Mule,

Varche Mule

, Mangni,

Tari Lotlikar

,

Tari

and Vasta clans.

Union minister Shripad Naik is a native of the village and belongs to the Soshebhatkar kutumb. The family’s tableau portrayed the Goddess Navdurga, this year.

Besides its distinctive immersion tradition, on the third day, Adpaikars stage scenes on various themes depicting religious and cultural beliefs at their homes, which also attracts people from across the state.

All the families celebrate the festival for five days, Pradyumn Naik, a youth from the

Sosebhatkar Kutumb

, said.

Last year, the villagers, whose Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations are famous in the state, had concluded the immersion ceremony without any festivity for the first time in their collective memory.