Ganesh Chaturthi, a celebration of nature’s bounty in Goa

Ganesh Chaturthi, one of Goa’s biggest festivals is here. Chavath, as it is locally known, is in fact, a celebration of nature’s bounty which is well reflected in different aspects of the festivities.

MATOLI

This is a wooden canopy, suspended above the Ganesh idol. It is decorated with a variety of fruits, vegetables, leaves, shoots, herbs, tubers, etc, and most of the wild plants are medicinal.

MAHADEV & GAURI

Ganesha’s parents are also worshipped during Chaturthi – a coconut is used to symbolise Mahadev, while a bundle of wild leaves and flowers represent Gauri. Both of these are wrapped in kasal leaves.

HARNA

The wild, yellow flowers, known as harna or sonki, start blooming at this time of the year in Goa. These flowers represent goddess Parvati or Gauri.

PUDI

In some villages of Canacona, a pudi or bundle of 21 wild and medicinal leaves, are offered to Lord Ganesha.

VAINN

On the eve of Chaturthi, which is known as taya or hartalika puja, married women offer coconuts to goddess Paravati or Gauri. These are known as vainn, and are decorated with haldi/kumkum as well as threads with black beads.

COCONUTS

Coconut is the most important part of the matoli decor. A bunch of coconuts are the first items to be placed on the matoli, followed by the other items.

NAVE

Nave, or the first paddy harvest of the season, is offered to Lord Ganesha on the second day of Chaturthi.

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