Mahashivratri Utsav:

Mahashivratri is a one of the greatest festival in India. Mahashivratri is the day which is fully related to God Shiva there are many names of God Shiva Mahadev is one of them. “Om Namah Shivay” is the main mantra of God Shiva.

Mahashivratri is the festival which is celebrated with devotion on the moonless 14^th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun. Most of the Hindu people keep fast on this day. On this day all the believes & devotees make a visit to Shiva temples devotees perform a both of Shiva Lingam with milk, water, honey etc, as a part of tradition. Jyotirlinga are set of 12 Shiva temples spread all over India and considered holiest for Shiva devotes.

Similarly Mahashivratri is celebrated every year with lot of happiness and devotion. Following are some photos which show devotion of Sal villagers towards God Shiva.

  Mahadev Temple :

The Mahadev temple is situated at Khalchawada Sal Goa. The look of temple is simply great. It has an attractive design on each and every wall of temple. There is a big ‘Idol of lord Shiva’ put on top of temple. There is a Lingam on the floor of the temple and there is a small ‘Idol of Nandi’. There is a big ‘Tulsi’ at the entrance of temple. It has a very big surrounding around the temple where there are trees in the surrounding.

There are three partitions in this temple at one side there is ‘idol of lord Ganesha’ other side there is Goddess ‘Parvati’ and at the centre there is a lingam of God Shiva. There are well managed seats as a made of cement, marble, etc for a seating arrangement. Outside there is a tap for water management.

This is a famous temple for Mahashivratri Utsav at Sal village.

Origin of Bhumika Devi at Sal Village

    Bhumika Devi Temple is one of the famous temple at Sal Village. The people of Sal Village belief that Goddess Bhumika Devi 
protect and nurish the Sal village people. The people from different area are come for to take ‘Darshan’ of Bhumika Devi. There were many programs conducted on account of religious fares of Bhumika Devi. The peoples are celebrating ‘Palkhi Utsav’ as well as birthday of Devi. The procession of Bhumika Devi Palkhi is conducted throughout the village. The married women vestibule their Godesses. These tradition are continuously transmitted from one generation to another.

The  Story  of  Bhumika  Devi  :

       Many many years ago in Sal Village the people were used cattle for agricultural purpose. The people of Sal village were engaged in cattle rearing.

One day one of the farmer identified that his cow was not given milk. Whenever he goes for the collection of milk he didn’t get a single drop of milk from the cow. He was very much worried about cow. One day he was followed the cow, he saw cow was standing on one place and droping his milk on that ‘Pashan’.He surprised. This news was spread throughout the village. The people of villages found idol of Godess Bhumika Devi. On that place people constructed temple of Bhumika Devi. This is a origin of Bhumika Devi at Sal Village in Bicholim Taluka.

Sal Dam in Bicholim Taluka

                Sal village is located in Bicholim taluka. ‘Sal Dam’ is famous dam is the identity of the village. Tourists are attracted towards the Sal village. After the construction of bridge on dam. Tourist makes fun and enjoyment on that place. But some of the tourists are not implement the code of conduct like    drinking wines, fighting each other, accident occurs, etc.

      We have to stop the people and to create beautiful village don’t miss use the holy place like Sal Village. We welcome to all of you in this beautiful village.

The Present Status of Sal Village:

Today Sal Village is famous for picnic spot. But in ancient time the place was unknown to everybody. The placed was used for different purposes such as washing the cloths, cattles, vehicles, etc. There was no Industrial development in ancient time. The quality & purity of water was excellent. Now a day’s society is undergoing massive changer in due course of time. Industrial development takes place near the Sal. The polluted water of industrial sector were directly thrown in the water so that water get polluted.

Dhalo Utsav

Goa is well know to its dances so my second blog is about dhalo.so i am going to write on my village dhalo. as dhalo is one of the cultural dances of Goa so lets start from my village.My village is well known for its original dance form.Basically 'Dhalo' is a celebration of mother nature.In the middle,one will always find either a 'Tulas' or a heap of mud,that is kept and worshipped,as a symbol of our (mother)Earth and this will be decorated with flowers and incense.A lamp is lit in front of the 'Tulas' and after paying homage, they sing various songs, which are about nature, natural beauty and the deities in the environment. Dhalo is danced on the 3rd 5th 7th &9th night i.e every second night.The celebration culminate on the final night when one sees all the best skits put by the women.The women stand in two rows,facing each other.Each row is called a 'Fanti' The right arm of one women holds the waist of the women standing next to her,while the left hand is left free. This type of Dhalo we still follow in our villages.

Significance of Dhalo Dance:

Dhalos are performed for praying for divine intercession to get rescued from all evil powers, improve relations and have peace in the village. The festival is celebrated according to the Hindu calendar, during the month of Pausha and Magha. 

Custom of Dhalo Dance :

Dhalo usually begins on a Wednesday or on a Sunday. Prior to the celebrations, the women decorate the open space of their house and the temple with rangoli. Women from the villages are also welcomed to participate in the dance. However, widows do not take part in the dhalos. Women offer talli i.e. rice, Moog and jiggery which are then cooked and served to those present. 

The leader of the village locally known as Mandkan invokes a salutation to the divinity, the Earth Mother and seeks her blessings for the whole village and for the festival rituals.