'Sangodd' tradition rules Sao Pedro feast in Goa's Divar island

Rohan Fernandes

THE DIVAR WAY

On June 29, the villagers of Divar, North Goa, gathered at the Chapel of St Peter in Vittozem to celebrate the Feast of Sao Pedro (St Peter).

Goa | Festivals of Goa | Monsoon | Divar Island |St Peter | Divar Sangodd | Boats | river | Photo: Vaibhav Dayanand Bhagat

PRAYER AND PROCESSION

Following prayers at the chapel, the statue of St Peter was carried in a solemn procession and placed on a decorated Sangodd, which then set sail along the River Mandovi.

Goa | Festivals of Goa | Monsoon | Divar Island |St Peter | Divar Sangodd | Boats | river | Photo: Vaibhav Dayanand Bhagat

FESTIVE TRADITION

The feast was marked by tradition, most notably the Sangodd, made by tying two canoes together.

Goa | Festivals of Goa | Monsoon | Divar Island |St Peter | Divar Sangodd | Boats | river | Photo: Vaibhav Dayanand Bhagat

FUN ON THE FERRY

Devotees and revellers boarded the ferry that followed the Sangodd as it made its way down the river, enjoying music, dancing, singing and having fun along the way.

Goa | Festivals of Goa | Monsoon | Divar Island |St Peter | Divar Sangodd | Boats | river | People celebrating | Photo: Vaibhav Dayanand Bhagat

PAUSE AND PRAY

The ferry stopped for a while at the nearby Vanxim Island, where locals boarded and joined the celebrations. Some were seen praying from the pier as the Sangodd passed by.

Goa | Festivals of Goa | Monsoon | Divar Island |St Peter | Sangodd | Boats | river | Vanxim island | villagers | Photo: Vaibhav Dayanand Bhagat

FAITH AND FESTIVITY

The celebrations involving the Sangodd and ferry are a unique way that Divar marks the festival, combining faith and festivity on the river.

Goa | Festivals of Goa | Monsoon festivals | Divar Island |St Peter | Divar Sangodd | Boat | Photo: Vaibhav Dayanand Bhagat

AROUND GOA

In addition to Divar, the Sangodd festival is also celebrated in several other parts of Goa, including Candolim, Ribandar, Vasco and Assolna.

Goa | Festivals of Goa | Monsoon festivals | Divar Island |St Peter | Divar Sangodd | Boat | Sunset | Photo: Vaibhav Dayanand Bhagat

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