Holy pace

SHIRGAO has its own beauty. Shirgao is  surrounded with greenery and cool relaxing environment. Shirgao is a holy place of goddess Lairai devi.  It's very old and famous.
Lairai devi and Milagres Saibinn (Virgin Mary) of nearby Mapusa are recognised as sisters by Goan Hindus and Catholics, and illustration of Goa's syncretic ethos. The architecture of the temple is unique,  with a dome and a tall pyramid like tower adorning the top. An annual festival called a Igituna Chalne is held at the temple to offer praise and worship to the goddess. Thousands of followers flock to the temple each year to pyou homage to the goddess

Shirgao Jatra

Lairai festival or Jatra, which in konkani means pilgrimage festival, is one of The most popular festival of Goa. The festival is celebrated in a small village called Shirgao located in the Bicholim district of Goa,in honor of Devi Lairai. Devotees from across the state come to this small village and visit the temple to pay their respect to the goddess. Numerous poojas and rituals are performed at the temple, which is lit up for the festival. The Shirgao Jatra is famous for the 'walk on hot coal'. Tourist and people from nearby villages through to this place to witness the holy  walk

Earlier, Lairai Jatra was celebrated for five to six days but now it is a single day celebration. The festival starts early morning with devotees performing rituals as an act of worship and penance.  Majority of the devotees wear flower garlands and a special type of dhoti. They also make special stick using twisted twigs. Colored yarn is used to decorate the stick, which is carried by the devotees throughout the day

All about Shirgao

One of the most looked forward event in the Hindu calender of religious festivities is the fire walking held at Shirgao,  near Assanora Taluka.
Though Sateri is the presiding deity of Shirgao,goddess gained popularity when it was brought to Shirgao. There are around 14 deities being given worshipped in Shirgao. It is believed that Lairai of Shirgao is the sister of Mahamaya of Maye, kelbai of Mulgao,

Morjai of morji,  Mirabai, who got converted to Our Lady of Milagres,Mapusa, Shitalai of Mayem and Ajadipa from Anjadiv island. Her lone brother is Khetoba from Vaigaini.
The deity sri Lairai in this temple is very uniquely represented. She is symbolised as a copper pot holding a white bud of the "Mogro" flower. The mogra is the special flower that is offered to the deity. Every year and new Mogra Bud is inserted in the pot and old one is replaced
The devotees of this temple, who are traditionally fire Walkers, are called "DHONDS" and comprise of gents as well as ladies. They are easily identified by the dhoti with a tower wrapped around their waist and the colourfully woven cane stick called as "ven'th" , that they carry. The cane is a 6ft  long long , woven cane, leaving a curve at one end and interspersed by colourful bunches of wood. These Dhond's carry out very strict procedures in their daily

Durtie.

Introduction to my blog

Goa is not just known for its natural beauty, heritage &culture but is also known for its spiritual places and Shirgao is one of them.