CM Dr. Pramod Sawant, along with Mayem MLA Offer Prayers at Shirgao’s Lairai Jatrotsav;
BICHOLIM: Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, accompanied by Mayem MLA Shri Premendra Vishnu Shet, offered prayers at Shree Devi Lairai Temple in Shirgao on Monday, joining thousands of devotees marking the auspicious Jatrotsav — one of Goa’s most significant folk-religious festivals.The Chief Minister participated in traditional rituals and took darshan of Lairai Devi, revered as a powerful guardian deity and one of the seven sisters in Goan folklore. The annual zatra transforms the quiet Bicholim village into a vibrant pilgrimage hub, drawing devotees from across Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.Addressing mediapersons after the prayers, Dr. Sawant said the Lairai Jatrotsav is “a living symbol of Goa’s faith, discipline, and community spirit.” He stressed that the government is committed to preserving such festivals that carry “centuries of devotion and indigenous knowledge,” while ensuring modern facilities for devotees.
Mayem MLA Premendra Shet noted that the temple falls in his constituency and thanked the devasthan committee, mahajans, and volunteers for seamless coordination. “This zatra is the soul of our villages. Our job is to support it without disturbing its sanctity,” Shet said, adding that safety and cleanliness were top priorities this year.Jatrotsav: Faith Meets Folk Tradition
The highlight of Lairai Jatrotsav is the dhondachi zatra, where dhonds — devotees who undertake strict vows — walk barefoot across the homkhan, a bed of burning embers, at dawn. The ritual, seen as an act of surrender and gratitude, is preceded by all-night bhajans, processions, and folk performances unique to the region. Officials said detailed arrangements were made in coordination with the temple committee, district administration, and police:
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