NT NETWORK
BICHOLIM: The five-day long ‘zatra’ of Shri Lairai of Shirigaon, Bicholim - one of the main ‘zatra’ of Goa - concluded on April 23.

The main ‘zatra’, locally called as ‘Dhondachi Zatra’ was held on April 19. Thousands of devotees from different parts of the state gathered at Shirigaon pay obeisance to the deity and make traditional offering. Various rituals were held in the temple to mark the celebration. Thousands of Dhonds who observed special vows offered their prayers, danced in the temple premises, took a dip in the sacred waters of temple tank and performed the ‘Agnidivya’. People gathered in large numbers to witness the ‘Agnidivya’ (walking over burning coal) by ‘Vratsth Dhonds’.
The 4-day long Kaulotsav was held from Tuesday to Friday, April 23. The ‘kalash’ of the deity was taken in procession.
The Chowgules, temple committee members, and villagers in large numbers were present at the concluding ceremony of the ‘zatra’.
The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat visited the temple on the day of main ‘zatra’ while the Home Minister, Mr Ravi Naik attended the concluding ceremony.
Devotees from Belgaum (Karnataka) and Sindhudurg (Maharashtra) also participated in this zatra.