Govind S Poteker
When the first community Ganesh Chaturthi festival was started by renowned freedom fighter and journalist Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, it was at a time there were restrictions on organizing public functions by the British. The idea was to celebrate festival and also evoke movement amongst masses to create nationalistic spirit in Bombay in the late 19th century against colonial rule. There was no such community celebration in Goa, but people celebrated the festival of Lord Ganesh or Ganapati, the harbinger of knowledge and wisdom in their houses
as family affair when all members would assemble for the grand festivity.
Liberation movement was already shaping up in Goa with Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and others trying to educate Goans to fight for freedom from Portuguese rule. Perhaps taking cue from neighbouring state, handful of freedom fighters and residents from Parra and around started Goa’s oldest Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav (festival) 79 years ago creating similar feeling during pre-liberation era. It all started in 1946 when community celebration was not heard of in the region. While in most places there is a main temple along with smaller shrines dedicated to different deities in every ward, Parra village having a population of about 6000 people had no temple apart from Ghumtis (small shrine) and Rashtroli Devasthan (village protector) till recently.
Prof Pradeep Morajkar, an academic by profession and president of Shree Ganesh Mandal Parra Trust briefed about the evolution of Sarvajanik Ganesh celebration in the village. Prof Mandrekar says, “In the beginning, a few freedom fighters and prominent individuals in the village namely, Dr Ganbha Dubashi (Mapuca), Bhagwant Prabhu Parrikar, Kashinath Sadashiv Shirsat, Shridhar Shirsat locally known as ‘Shri’, Vaikunth Shirsat, Mahadeo Krishna Nagvekar, Anant Pandurang Pednekar and others came together to start first Sarvajanik Ganesh festival. Later, they shifted celebrations to a primary school. In the beginning, the festival was held only for seven days for 3-4 years and later, they decided to keep Sarvajanik Ganesh festival for 21 days.”
Enlightening, Shyamkant V Shirsat, son of Vaikunth Shirsat says, “First Sarvajanik Ganesh Chaturthi was organised at Jacknim, Parra in my father’s flour mill, which is still there, although it is not functioning any more. It was my uncle, freedom fighter Shridhar called ‘Shri,’ who was very influential person along with his close friend Andrade who received good support from Christians and also Muslim community in those early stages of Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav.”
Another resident of Parra, Anil Parrikar, banker by profession, who resides opposite late Vaikunth Shirsat’s house remembers, “Vaikunth had a shop and flour mill, where they initially started Sarvajanik Ganesh festival. Dr Ganbha Dubhashi, who was one of the founders of festival had a clinic in the village. I remember going to Hanuman Vidyalay along with Manohar Parrikar, the former chief minister of Goa. The school was on the first floor of a house that belonged to a Christian family.” When the initial structure for the temple was built Ramesh Parrikar was the president of Ganesh Mandal Committee in the late 60s. Vishwanath Pednekar was also very active in organizing Ganesh festival.
A small temple dedicated to Ganapati was built and later a platform and Sabha Mantap with stage was constructed to carry out regular programmes. For the last 50 years, stage dramas (Nataks) were organised along with devotional Kirtan presentations and spiritual sessions during Ganesh Chaturthi. In recent times, Ganesh Jayanti has gained wide following in the state. Also, post liberation screening of films by Information Department was quite a big attraction in the village before the advent of television, Prof Morajkar acknowledges.
Prof Morajkar noted that they had never thought of building a full-fledged temple, but we received excellent support not only from Hindu brethren, but also from Christian community and a new temple Shree Varad Siddhivinayak was built in 2005 by purchasing required land. Most important attribute about Parra’s populace is the communal harmony between different communities transcending religions.
Prof Morajkar further adds, “Earlier Bhajans were organised at night, a short session, but with the construction of fully acoustic hall all forms of musical programmes are conducted. Besides leasing the hall for marriage ceremony, we are receiving donations from individuals. The financial success has resulted in sound progress of trust at various levels.”
We were surprised to find a booklet of accounts that was about 60 years old. In that it was noted that the collection was barely about 35 rupees out of which the expenses were about 25 rupees and the entry of balance amount of financial year was properly entered. We have maintained that sort of transparency in our operations even today, Prof Morajkar adds.
With financial stability they were able to purchase land for temple and a hall and plans are afoot to create a suitable parking space in an adjoining area. The Ganesh Mandal Trust that was registered some 12 years ago has taken many charitable works. About 25 percent of revenue is used for the welfare of society. The hall is leased at 50 percent discount to the local community. Medical camps for the benefit of elderly people and blood donation camps are organised. Regularly, grocery items are donated to Jeevan Anand Ashram, which is carrying commendable work of rehabilitation of infirm and homeless people.
Prof Morajkar on support to educational activity informed, “Scholarship to deserving students are given and merit students in the village are felicitated. To encourage young talent in the village, we have started Bhajan classes, Hindustani classical music classes and teachings about Hindu rituals, scriptures and cultural practices.”
Parra is gaining as an important centre for cultural activity as various programmes such Natyasangeet and Bhavgeet are organised regularly at the Ganesh Temple hall. “As our responsibility towards environment and nature, we are encouraging eco-friendly product alternative to plastic during the events that are organised at the multipurpose hall,” Prof Mandrekar echoes commitment to nature, and feels that with people’s devotion and support at all level including political, it is our duty to repay back to the community the blessing bestowed on us by Ganapati.
The devotees always make a beeline for darshan (prayers) at this temple is a sign of faith in almighty god and his teachings.