Daijiworld News Network - Goa
Report and pics from Sanjay Borkar in Margao

Margao, Nov  6: As per the annual schedule, the Jatra festival in Goa began from Monday. Devotees of goddess Navdurga -Borim, celebrated this festival on Monday with great fervour and enthusiasm.

It is said that the annual Jatra festival in Goa begins only after it is first celebrated in Navdurga Temple at Borim-Ponda.

It is traditional for newly-married couples, girls below 10 years and women to observe this festival by holding Diwaj (Lamp) in their hand, and take rounds of temple with enthusiasm.

Around 1,000 women gather here every year to celebrate this festival. This festival is specially meant for women.

In the wee hours of festival day, a palanquin of goddess Navdurga is being taken to nearby lake in boats. Taking procession into the lake is called "Sangodd" in Goa. Thousands of devotees come to witness this Sangodd. The palanquin of the goddess is decorated with lots of flowers and lights.

'I strongly believe that if we hold this diwaj in the Jatra festival, goddess Navdurga showers her blessings on us and she protects us in every moment of life', said Navnita Adpaikar, a devotee, to daijiwolrd correspondent.

All rules and rituals are strictly followed in the celebration. Women first light the diwaj after completion of main rituals and then they enter the sanctum sanctorum of the temple to offer their prayers to the goddess.

Women wearing saris are not allowed to take part in this diwaj festival. Women only wear "Navwaris'', during this festival.

Mhajans (Member of temple committee) and locals also come here to collect the annual oracle.

People buy Khajem (sweets) as prasad of god, to give it to friends and relatives.

More than 40 temples celebrate Jatra festival in a year.