Rohan Fernandes
Divajanchi Jatra is a festival of lamps, which was celebrated at Shri Keshav Dev Temple, Loliem, in Canacona, South Goa, recently.
Married women observe a fast before celebrating this festival. The lamps (divaj) they carry on their heads consist of five wicks.
Lighting of lamps indicates heralding of goodness. Here, the women pray for the well-being of their husbands.
Only the married women of the village get the honour of celebrating this festival.
The women go around the temple with the divajas on their heads.
Besides Loliem, this festival is celebrated in more than 12 villages.
The women are accompanied by a brass band when they go around the temple.