A sacred ritual in Goa centred around the cactus plant

CACTUS REVERENCE

Amidst the rhythmic clang of temple bells, a succulent — a niveli (cactus plant) — takes centre stage at this Pagi community ritual in Tamne, Loliem, in the southernmost Canacona taluka of Goa.

HONOURING TRADITION

The ritual takes place at the Shantadurga Chamundeshwari Kudtarkarin Mahamaya temple on the occasion of Tulsi Vivah, which is called Vhodli Diwali (Big Diwali) in Goa. This year, the ritual was held on November 13.

FOREST TO FLAME

For this unique and sacred ritual, the lamp—known as the divza—is carved from the cactus plant, known locally as niveli, which thrives in the forested areas surrounding the village.

PRUNED PERFECTION

After the thorny edges are pruned, the cactus is ready to serve as divzas in the ritual. The women of the community wear these well-carved divzas on their fingers.

FOR THE LIGHT

The wick, mostly made of cotton thread, is placed in the crafted niveli, to draw up the flame.  

PAGI LEGACY

A woman wearing the cactus divzas on her fingers. This ritual is conducted exclusively by the people of the Pagi community from villages such as Agonda, Palolem, Loliem, Poinguinim and also Kadra, which lies across the border in Karnataka.

HISTORICAL REVERENCE

There are different interpretations of the use of niveli (cactus) for the ritual. One of them is deeply rooted in the migration of the Pagi community from Curtorim to this part of Goa when Portuguese colonial persecution was at its peak.

SACRED COMMITMENT

The men from the community have to take part in this ritual twice in their lifetime—first anytime after the age of 12, and the second time is after marriage during their first divza ceremony as married men.

STEP IN FAITH

Women can participate in the ritual after marriage.

CEREMONIAL GRACE

The ceremony, which unfolds for around half an hour, sees men and women going around the temple in a small procession. The women wear the well-carved divzas on their fingers.

ENDURING SYMBOL

The ceremony is more than just a ritual; it is a living connection between the past and present and is a symbol of the community's survival, of endurance through adversity.

NEXT: True Goa is hidden along her winding paths