Discover the unique Diwali ‘toran’ tradition of Dongri in Goa
Festivals reveal fascinating traditions and rituals that reflect the uniqueness of a culture. They speak about the people and their connection with the land. Similar is the case with Diwali festival celebrations.
Even in Goa, there are some rituals and practices which are quite unique. For example, the quaint village of Dongri, in Tiswadi taluka, which is famous for its Intruz celebrations, is also a place where you will find a unique Diwali ritual.
On the eve of Diwali, when all the towns and villages of Goa host the Narkasur Vadha (killing of the demon, Narkasur), the villagers of Dongri erect a toran (arch), very similar to a matoli (which is erected during the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations).
This toran is erected in a public space in the village and is decorated with household items, and not just fruits and vegetables.
Ramrao Wagh, a faculty member at the Goa Business School, Goa University, Taleigao, and who is also the secretary of the Shri Shashti Shantadurga temple which organises the main toran, states, “The unique practice of erecting a toran at three spots across the road at Vodlebhat Dongri has been followed by villagers for years.”
“A toran is erected on the road, on which the procession of the Narkasur and Shri Krishna passes, and finally, culminates in the killing of the Narkasur. On this toran, villagers hang various items such as fruits, vegetables and household items, which are later auctioned. Just like the matoli in Chovoth, the toran is an essential feature at Diwali.”
This toran is erected at three places in the village – Tarikode, Ram temple and Manxewaddo.
Wagh, who also documents cultural aspects of Dongri village, maintains that villagers place items on this toran as offerings so as to fulfil their wishes. In the past, when villagers used to practice khazan farming on a large scale, various decorative offerings of paddy would be made.
The quaint village of Dongri, in Tiswadi taluka, which is famous for its Intruz celebrations, is also a place where you will find a unique Diwali ritual.
“The offerings have evolved with time, and sometimes, even cash (in envelopes) is tied and later auctioned off,” he adds. One can even find items like buckets, tumblers and also plastic chairs on this toran.
All these items, which are offered are then auctioned on the day of Padvo, and this year, it will be held on November 2 at around 7 pm. This auction is locally known as Pavni.
The income earned from this auction is used for various works in the village, for example, a part of the earnings have gone towards repairs of the village crematorium.
Like many rituals and customs, this toran also has its set of rules. Wagh informs, “No unholy things should pass under this toran. So, if there is a death in the village then the funeral procession is not permitted to pass under it. In this case, either the toran is dismantled or the procession takes another route.”
Mahendra Shirodkar, who has written about the culture of Dongri in the book, Rishibhumi Dongri states that this tradition is around 200-years-old.
He mentions that it was basically held to defray the expenses involved in making the Narkasur.
“This toran is also erected during other festivals like Akshay Tritiya and Kartik Saptah in other vaddos of the village. But, this Diwali toran is the oldest in the village.”
So, if you are curious about this toran, head to the village of Dongri where it will be on display till the evening of November 2.