The temple of Shree Devkikrishna Devasthan in Marcel, in Ponda taluka, was in focus as one experienced what it is like playing with Goa’s red soil at the annual Chikhal Kallo festival. Krishna devotees got themselves smeared with mud, as playing games in the muck is order of the day.
In Marcel, the festival is celebrated for more than 100 years in the precinct of Shree Devki-Krishna temple which was originally located at Chorao before the advent of Portuguese rule in Goa. The festivity began on Ekadashi day with lighting of lamp and offering of Shree Phal (coconut) to the goddess. Devotional songs (Bhajans) were played the whole night till the next day. Devotees put up vermillion (tilak) on their forehead and smear their bodies with coconut oil. After circumambulating the deity, the Pujaris, Bhagat, Mahajan and all devotees of Krishna ran to the temple square with beating of drums creating a festive atmosphere.
Various games were played that included running through a human tunnel, tug of war, dog and bone, blind fold, frog game and a rotating human wheel (Chakra). Lifting someone and throwing and splashing mud is an integral part of fun activities taken sportingly and getting smeared with mud is considered as divine.
Chikhal Kallo is not complete as everyone gathers under the Peepal tree as human pyramid is made and one of the youth breaks the pot containing curd (Dahi Handi), which Lord Krishna is known to love the most. It was truly a celebration of the beautiful bond of man with nature.