Evelyn Siqueira
In many villages of North Goa – Sattari, Bicholim, Pernem – there is a traditional Divjachi zatra on the new moon day of Kartik, the eighth month of the Hindu calendar.
Shri Devi Sharvani Temple, located in Advalpal, in the Bicholim taluka, is one such temple where Divjachi zatra is held.
The temple is dedicated to goddess Sharvani, and devotees from Goa and neighbouring states attend the celebrations.
The prominent feature of this zatra is the divja (traditional lamp) procession, which is held in the evening.
During the procession, married women move in rows around the temple, holding divja (lamps), which is a sight to behold!
Dressed in traditional nauvari sarees, they take 5 rounds of the temple, behind the chariot of the deity.
The women seek the blessings of the goddess for the longevity of their husbands.
In the past women would carry a terracotta lamp, while these days, the lamps are generally made of brass.