Firewalk of piety: Shirgao set for jatra of Goddess Lairai

Bicholim: The state’s popular and piety-powered jatra of Goddess Lairai at Shirgao starts on Friday. Dhonds (devotees) fast during the five days of the festival and travel not just from across Goa but also from neighbouring Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Dinanath Gaonkar, president of Lairai Devasthan, said, “New dhonds are required to fast for five days, while the old fast for three days.” He added that some fast for almost a month before the festival. During the jatra, dhonds have to be pious and consume meals only after a holy dip. While this practice is followed throughout Goa, Gaonkar said, even devotees residing in foreign countries adhere to the custom.
On the first day of the festival, after performing all rituals, including Garhane (appeal to the goddess for protection and blessing), the dhonds take a dip into the holy Devichi Tali.
Gaonkar said that on the way to the pond that same evening, a priest holds a kalash (pitcher). Devotees set up firewood in a pyramid form. The firewood that's already set-up in pyramid form is litbythepriest. This process is known as Homkhan (sacred fire).
After bathing in the pond, dhonds dance around Homkhan until dawn. The dancing ends only after the firewood is reduced to ashes. Thereafter, the dhonds walk barefoot on a flaming coal bed, chanting ‘Har Har Mahadev’. That act of piety is the prime attraction of the jatra. Festivities continue for four days in the form of Kaulotsav. The priest carries the kalash from one house to the other, blessing a large number of villagers.