BY SUDESH BHOSLE | NT NETWORK

VASCO-The 112th Shree Damodar Bhajani saptah was celebrated in the port town of Vasco with pomp and gaiety. The basic concept of celebrating the traditional saptah was reposing faith in the deity Damodar who is believed to have helped the people during times of emergencies.

The people in the port town of Vasco have full faith in the deity Damodar, following the incident, wherein an outbreak of the dreaded plague disease about 112 years ago threatened to wipe out a huge population.

Senior journalist, Mr Sham Kaskar informs that the people have full trust in the deity Damodar and cites various examples which shows instances when the deity has come to the rescue.

Mr Kaskar narrates an incident reported in the port town of Vasco some nine years ago. He says panic gripped the people, following a fire and blast in the premises of the Mormugao Port Trust. As the incident was reported in the morning about 8 am, the officer goers, school students, school teachers, businessmen, shopkeepers and others got terrifies. The incident was later detected as fuel pilferage. The people say it was the blessing of lord Damodar which protected the people from uncertain happenings. He recalls incidents when people have been protected in recent flooding at Merces Vaddem and Vaddem.

The Bhajani saptah is celebrated annually by offering a srifal to the lotus feet of Damodar. Industrialist, Mr Paresh Joshi, the elder son of Mr Vasantrao Joshi who performs the rituals usually, kicks off the Bhajani saptah celebration by making the offering.

There are six different samaj who play an important role in the twenty–four-hour long saptah celebration by decorating tableaux, followed by dindi troupes, but now, there has been enormous growth in the bhajani troupes participating in the saptah. Even women troupes are seen taking part in the celebrations. Various bhajan competitions are organized at zonal, district and state level at the premises.

As thousands participate in the grand event, the saptah fair goes on for another 8 to 10 days. During this time, many people go to buy provisions for the coming festival. The saptah celebration which is celebrated in the port town of Vasco has come to symbolize unity in diversity with the participation of thousands of people irrespective of caste and creed.