For the Malkarnekar family of Margao, it was not their first trip to Zambaulim. However, this time, 35-year-old Sai Malkarnekar experienced the Zambaulim Shigmo in a new light.
Traditionally a ritual celebrated with fervour, it was now also an opportunity for Sai and his immediate family to bond, as they made their way to the Gulal Utsav at Zambaulim’s Ramnath Damodar temple, embracing both the cultural significance and the joy of coming together as a family.
The Gulal Utsav, held in Zambaulim village, has a tradition going back 500 years. The village of Zambaulim is where the deity of Shri Damodar is revered.
The Gulal Utsav is celebrated with great devotion not just by Goans but also people from neighbouring States like Maharashtra and Karnataka. During the festival, participants chant Shree Ramnath Damodar Maharaj ki Jai in reverence to the deity, Lord Ramnath Damodar. As part of the festivities, they joyfully apply gulal (colored powder) to one another, symbolising unity, love, and the sharing of happiness.
It's not just about applying the gulal, but also about the deep connection with the tradition it represents, the joy, and the sense of togetherness that comes with it
Sai Malkarnekar, devotee
Sai, says, “I was eagerly waiting for Zambaulim Shigmo, as it is the most colourful festival and it is celebrated with so much enthusiasm.”
He adds, "It's not just about applying the gulal, but also about the deep connection with the tradition it represents, the joy, and the sense of togetherness that comes with it."
According to legend, the idol of Shri Damodar was based in Fatorda, but during the Portuguese inquisition many temples, including those in Margao, faced adversity, forcing Mathagramasthas, or the residents of Margao, to take the idol of Shri Damodar to Quepem’s Zambaulim.
This was not the only deity that was taken to Zambaulim during this time, there were others too.
The festivities of the Gulal Utsav, therefore, begin in Margao, with the sacred coconut which is taken in a procession from the late Pandurang Keni's residence in Gogol, Margao to Zambaulim.
Like Sai, the Shigmo festival had families from as far as Kolhapur and Karwar and among them was Prashant Haldankar from Karwar, who purchased two to three packets of gulal as he took part in the procession.
The festivities of the Gulal Utsav, therefore, begin in Margao, with the sacred coconut which is taken in a procession from the late Pandurang Keni's residence in Gogol, Margao to Zambaulim.
“We have been coming for this zatra for the last 20 years and more and every time we come, there is a feeling of peace and calm that I experience. Since it’s an eight-day event, we stay for two-three days in Goa before returning home,” says Prashant.
Manisha Naik, who also attends the festival, finds that there have been changes over the years. Earlier women were not allowed to apply the gulal.
"Now even women participate in the Gulal Utsav. Earlier, only men used to apply gulal on each other, but now women also participate in the festival after which they bathe in the Kushavati River."
With its roots in religiosity and culture, , the Gulal Utsav remains an integral part of the Goa's identity. The week, filled with various cultural and spiritual events, showcases the enduring spirit of the State's traditions.
As generations continue to embrace the festival, the Gulal Utsav continues to carry its rich legacy forward with equal fervour.