Ancient traditions unfold at Poinguinim’s Gadyaanchi jatra

Canacona:Gadyaanchi Jatra was celebrated recently with thousands of devotees flocking to Mahalwada, Poinguinim. The jatra, held every three years in May, celebrates Lord Betal, a deity of Poinguinim and neighbouring villages.A ritual called 'Jevnni' is performed in the first year. In the second year, a procession called 'Ttakaa' takes place, and in the third year, the Gadyaanchi Jatra is celebrated with religious fervour.It is believed that Betal had conquered 12 talukas in Goa, along with Poinguinim, in the 13th century. The villagers asked him to live in Poinguinim and offered a jatra every three years in return. Since then, the famous Gadyanchi Jatra has been celebrated.The two Taranga, Satri and Pillkucho (peacock feathers), are brought to the place before the jatra.Two exceptionally large tree trunks called Khaamb, around 40-45 feet tall, are put in front of the Betal temple. A huge wooden spindle called Raat with four arms is fixed on the Khaamb.On the day of the jatra, the image of Betal in the temple is decorated traditionally. The decoration of the temple has remained unchanged for years.Four males dressed in white – a dhoti and turban with a sword in the right hand and a piece of cloth in the other – known as Gade, take part in the ceremony.They are brought to the temple dancing on the beats of ancient songs with dhol and taso (musical instruments) along with other devotees of their community.The Gade, with their community, sing and dance with their swords in front of the temple. The four Gade are pierced with a metal hook into their back muscles, and other devotees from their community are pierced in their stomach.The Gade climb the Khaamb holding their sword and a piece of cloth. They are then tied to the arms of the Raat and rotated for some time.They are kept in the temple till their wounds are healed. At midnight on the day after the jatra, two Redde (cape buffaloes) are brought to the temple. One enters the temple, while the other departs. The buffalo that enters is then sacrificed to Betal.The temple remains closed for a week after the jatra for all devotees. Only their chief is allowed to enter.According to the folklore, in early centuries, one of the Gade would fall off the Raat while rotating and would be sacrificed to Betal. But that ritual is now banned.