The laidback island of Divar in Goa comes to life during the festival of Bonderam, but little is known about the feast of St Peter in Vittozem, Divar that creates a different atmosphere on this island. It is celebrated in a traditional manner and is known as Sangodd.
On June 29 (today) the feast of St Peter and St Paul was celebrated across Goa, but in Divar the Sangodd celebration to mark the day is completely different from the other sangodds celebrated in Orda, Candolim and Assolna in South Goa.
Amidst the heavy showers on Thursday, villagers gathered at the chapel of St Peter which is located close to the river banks.
They offered prayers to St Peter. The feast is very much important to the fishing community members who seek blessings for abundance and safety of their families, relatives and friends.
After the prayers, the Statue of St Peter was taken and placed inside a well-decorated Sangodd, which is built by joining two canoes.
The Sangodd with the saint on board is followed by a ferry on which the devotees sailed. Both the Sangodd and the ferry sailed to nearby Vanxim, which is the smallest island in the area. People from that island also boarded the canoe to take part in the celebration. The mood was festive with music playing amidst the heavy rain.
Prayers and devotion marked the evening as both the Sangodd and ferry sailed in the river Mandovi for an hour with people enjoying both the devotion and the scenic views of the Mandovi.
No matter how heavy it poured, people were seen rejoicing while some were seen reciting prayers in one corner of the ferry.
A local who has been taking part in the Sangodd said that people are often protected by the grace of St Peter which is what makes them always come to him whenever in need.
After about an hour, the ferry returned to its original place and all the people venerated the statue.