SAPTAH
A festival which is truly unique to goa, is the largest celebration that takes place in the town of Vasco namely SAPTAH. “Saptah” literally means seven and the celebrations go on for a week, however the fair and stalls set up sometimes carry on for up to ten days. This festival worships lord Damodar who is an avtar of lord Shiva.
There is a story behind Saptah to be celebrated. It is believed that worshiping lord Damodar saved Vasco. There was an outbreak of cholera in the town of Vasco. With out the benefit of modern medicine, the town people were dying like flies and elders of the town felt that something had to be done. No medicines could cure the diseases. There was no control on deaths. Being largely spiritual people, they at once turned to god. The village elders brought coconut from the famous Damodar temple at Zambaulim and kept in local Mata high school. As soon as they did this, people started recovering faster from the disease.
People believed that where medicines couldn’t help, Gods blessings did. There was happiness and joy in the town. Delighted with this outcome, one of the elder of village converted a part of his house into a temple for lord Damodar. This house is main center of festive celebration even today.
This festival takes place in the month of Shravan (July/ August) right after Nagpanchami. The old coconut is removed from the temple and taken in procession around the town accompanied by singing and dancing and then immerse the coconut in the sea. In evening they organize bhajans which is carried over whole night. Damodar temple is located in the Swatantra Path which is a main road in Vasco town.
This road is closed during Saptah for seven days.
There is a huge fair which is set up along the road side. Vendors from all over across the country come with their wares ranging from eatables to clothes and accessories to household items. During these seven days the entire town of Vasco is blessed with joy and happiness showered.
There is a story behind Saptah to be celebrated. It is believed that worshiping lord Damodar saved Vasco. There was an outbreak of cholera in the town of Vasco. With out the benefit of modern medicine, the town people were dying like flies and elders of the town felt that something had to be done. No medicines could cure the diseases. There was no control on deaths. Being largely spiritual people, they at once turned to god. The village elders brought coconut from the famous Damodar temple at Zambaulim and kept in local Mata high school. As soon as they did this, people started recovering faster from the disease.
This festival takes place in the month of Shravan (July/ August) right after Nagpanchami. The old coconut is removed from the temple and taken in procession around the town accompanied by singing and dancing and then immerse the coconut in the sea. In evening they organize bhajans which is carried over whole night. Damodar temple is located in the Swatantra Path which is a main road in Vasco town.
There is a huge fair which is set up along the road side. Vendors from all over across the country come with their wares ranging from eatables to clothes and accessories to household items. During these seven days the entire town of Vasco is blessed with joy and happiness showered.
