Shree Kamakshi Zatra

SHREE KAMAKSHI ZATRA

The ancient Mother Goddess, possibly the deity to be worshipped by humans, has assumed the identity of Shiva’s consort – Parvati. She, too, has taken many incarnation, which depict the many moods of woman, with aspects such as the benign, through evil-destroying Durga, her even more peaceful form as Shantadurga, and all the way through her terrifying form of Kali. Goddess Kamakshi is the universal Mother Goddess.
The temple of Shri Kamakshi is located in the village of Shiroda, which is situated in South Goa, 12 kilometers from Ponda town and 22 kilometers from the city of Margao. In the village of Shiroda, a huge mahadwar (a temple gate) leads us to the temple known as ‘Sthal’, after passing under the mahadwar we can see the golden kalash perched on its shikar or peak.

The idol of Shri Kamakshi and Shree Laxmi Narayan is taken around the temple premises, every Amavasya or on the new moon day. Thousands of devotees visit this temple for darshan on this day. The procession of Shri Rayeshwar is held in the temple premises on Chaturdarshi or pre-new moon day, and that of Shri Shantadurga on Panchami or fifth day after the new moon day. In addition, the annual festival is held at the temple during the Navratri/Dussehra period and at the time of zatra in spring.

On the day of zatra, around 4.00 am the idol of Shree Kamakshi and Shri Rayeshwar is taken out and kept in the small boat (vhode), here pooja is conducted and later 5 rounds of the pond have to be taken which is called as pradakshana. Later the idol of Shree Kamakshi is taken out on special procession. The divja procession held during the zatra, wherein countless married women walk around the temple in the evening, holding divja or clay lamps. The families whose kuldevi is Shree Kamakshi only they can conduct the divja, with the belief that Shree Kamakshi devi  will protect their family in every difficult situations. During zatra all the village people come together in unity and celebrate the zatra of Shree Kamakashi.