Evelyn Siqueira
Anant Chaturdashi is celebrated on the tenth day after Ganesh Chaturthi, and this year, it was September 9, 2022. The 250-year-old Mhamai Kamat home, in Panjim, welcomes people from all walks of life on this special occasion.
On this day, hundreds of people from all over Goa come to the Mhamai Kamat home to pay obeisance to a unique shankha (conch), present there.
The famed right-handed conch, studded with pearls, gems and gold, is kept on a platter. It is taken out only once a year, ie on the auspicious occasion of Anant Chaturdashi, for public veneration.
In the large kitchen of the house, cooking the meals for the crowds of devotees and other attendees is done the traditional way using a wood fire.
The work of cooking the pure vegetarian food begins early in the morning.
The festive meal is served to devotees on plantain leaves.
On Anant Chaturdashi, the prayer room is decorated with masses of flowers, and an image of Lord Anant is placed in front of the sanctum sanctorum.
The image of Lord Anant, seated on a horse, is beautifully decorated, while the famed conch is kept at its feet.