With one and half days and five days of Ganesh festivity coming to an end with the immersion of Ganesh idols, the villagers of Cumbharjua are all set to say good bye to Ganapati on the occasion of the famous Sangod (Utsav) festival that will be held on September 13. The common invocation ‘Lord to come again at the earliest’ is abuzz all around. The river banks of Cumbharjua canal turns into a festive atmosphere as people occupy every available space along the dotted houses lined up opposite a short stretch of mangrove plantation and others get a bird’s eye view from atop the Bridge.
Also called Devi’s Sangod, brings people from all walks of life from near and far gather in large numbers on the seventh day to witness a lively religious-cultural event, the immersion of Ganesh idol that is installed at Shree Shantadurga Kumbharjuvekarin temple at Marcela.
The immersion (Visarjan) evokes great enthusiasm amongst the people as the colourful floats that are part and parcel of Sangod are presented by various participating groups from the village. Akin to Shigmo parade except that all these festivities happen in the river that is a habitat for marsh crocodiles, one of the signature predators of this canal connecting Rivers Mandovi and Zuari and the lives of people who worship them.
The president of Shree Shantadurga Kumbharjuvekarin Devasthan, Dr Shivaji Mukund Shet briefed about the festival that has given a unique identity to the village and also the historical perspective of the Sangod festival. The village has been celebrating the festival for at least 350 years.
Delving into the history behind the festival, Dr Shet said, “The temple itself has a very long history of more than 500 years. Originally the temple was located at Kumarsai, Carambolim. Due to the inquisition during Portuguese rule, the temple was shifted for safety to Marcel in Ponda taluka which was under Soundekar Raja.” It is believed that Brahman Wadiye family was residing in this village. During a pandemic period, a first-generation family couldn’t celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, but kept a Kalash in the Devi’s temple as Prasad. Before the family left the place, they sanitized the place by spreading cow dung around. A Tulsi made from stone still exists where Wadiye family once resided, adds Dr Shet about the heritage significance of that site. Since that time, the tradition of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi in Devi’s temple started.
Speaking about the seventh day, Dr Shet mentions, “The one-foot Ganapati idol is always painted in Vermillion (Sinduri) colour. On the day of immersion, after Aarti in the afternoon by Bhingui family from Talaulim, the idol is carried ceremonially in a Palkhi (Palanquin) at about 3.30 pm to the river bank and placed in the colourful Devi’s Sangod for Visarjan The festival begins as Devi’s Sangod moves with the lighting of firecrackers. It is then joined by all the other floats on Sangods.” Sangod consists of two canoes tied together on which various acts are enacted. Seven rounds are made by Sangod from the starting point to the bridge as a ritual and then Ganesh idols are immersed. No motorized canoes are allowed and the boats have to move manually using oars for floats taking part in the competition.
As per the tradition, Devi’s Sangod is boarded by Bhat (priest), Jalmi, Vajantri (musicians), temple committee members and Katkar, the poll (Khamo) carrier. Besides all these members, there are four other characters who act as Ganapati, his consorts Riddhi-Siddhi, Putna and Desai {Sawant Kul (sect)}. Tari, Phadte and Sawant families are three of the oldest families settled in the region and they represent their Kul Devta and each one of them have their respectful place in all religious rituals in the village.
In the past, various characters would adorn attire by using material available then to give that natural look, but now some element of technology is quite visible in dress sense. Dr Shet says, “The floats and Dekhavas were mostly based on Ramayana and Mahabharata stories, historical figures and local characters such as street vendours and traditional professions presenting different
themes giving the festival the fun-
filled ambiance.”
Cumbharjua is known for successfully organizing Sangod festival, which is due to combined efforts by Kumbharjua Mahajan, villagers, youth of Kumbharjua and Rambhuvanwada, Thapanwada, Golwada, Talapwada, Takwada and Surchembhat. All of them play a active role in creating artistic presentations. Devi's Sangod is jointly made by Shree Shantadurga Kumbharjuvekarin Devasthan and Shree Ram Devasthan, Rambhuvanwada, notes Dr. Shet.
One of the young residents of Cumbharjua, Siddhi Bhute like scores of other young villagers is fascinated and keenly waiting for the festival every year. Siddhi says, “I feel excited to participate in Sangod festival as people come in large numbers to see. I have participated along with my uncle for the last eight years. Last year we presented orchestra on Sangod. This time it could be just setting a Baazar.”
Some people are used to making funny acts or drama on the boat, but we have followed the same tradition for years. People can make any drama for Sangod Utsav as there is no compulsion but the mythological floats are a big attraction for all, quips in Siddhi.
While the old tradition has survived till date, the village panchayat and local MLAs over last 25 years have added a
new attraction by offering handsome prizes for the best floats in the competition, sums up Dr. Shet who expects a big turnout as usual.