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