Katia Goes
According to folklorist Vinayak Khedekar, a gada is an individual with a special role in community rituals. When several of them come together, they are called gade.
A unique festival, Gade Utsav, is celebrated annually as part of the Holi celebrations in Goa, and takes place in the afternoon, and not after dark.
The observance began at the Shree Ravalnath Temple in Adpai, Ponda, Goa, by invoking the blessings of lord Ravalnath and the village dieties.
The burning of Holika was followed by the coconut breaking ceremony.
According to tradition, one man from every family that belongs to each Kuldevta, participates in the ritual as a Gado.
Swarms of people gathered on the temple grounds to watch the events unfold.
As soon as the traditional music began, all the gades present at the site went into a state of trance and fell to the ground.
The gades cooled down only once their feet had touched the ground. The ritual is concluded by taking a dip in the holy river.