Temple rivals vow peace, Kalotsav on at Mayem

Bicholim: After a gap of six years, the nine-day Kalotsav of the Shree Maya Kelbai Panchayatan Devasthan at Mayem village began on Tuesday without the troubles that have disrupted it in the past.

A large police deployment was at hand to avert any untoward incident. Previous celebrations have been marred by disputes among various groups associated with the management of the temple over the right to perform rituals.

Bicholim deputy collector Bhimnath Khorjuvekar told TOI that the festival was permitted after the groups gave a written undertaking not to cause any trouble.

“Before the permission was granted to the event, six to seven meetings were held between the disputing groups by mamlatdar Pravin Gawas,” Khorjuvekar said.