He comes to the rescue of his devotees, protecting them in times of difficulty. His grace fulfils all desires and needs. This is the strong belief of the devotees of Dev Dudhsagar.
Thousands of devotees visit the Collem Dudhsagar shrine of the local kshetrapala (guardian deity) known as Dev Dudhsagar on his zatra (feast) day.
On Tuesday, many devotees from all across Goa and from the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Maharashtra visited the Collem shrine of Dev Dudhsagar. The popularity of the shrine is such that people cross three water bodies, a rough mud road which goes deep into the Bhagawan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and leads to this shrine.
Located 16 to 17 km from the Collem village panchayat, the Dudhsagar shrine temple was crowded on Tuesday as it was the deity's feast locally known as zatra or kalotsav in the southern part of Goa.
On this day, there were police personnel deployed at various points of this route which leads to the shrine. People came in cars, jeeps and motorcycles and even walked to this temple.
A lady flower vendor who had come from Panchwadi to sell flowers and garlands in Collem said that many people from South Goa come to this place. Devotees who receive whatever they have asked for from Dev Dudhsagar also come to fulfil their vows.
Devotees feel that Dev Dudhsagar is their protector, and he will always stand with his devotees in times of difficulty.
A local temple committee member Narayan Gaonkar informed us that hundreds of devotees come to this temple and wait for darshan in long queues.
On the day of the zatra, people offer their prayers and break shreephal (coconut) and then there are other religious activities such as aarti (prayer) and garhane (blessing seeking), which are followed by mahaprasad (meal).
Gaonkar further added that just like the day of the zatra, on the anniversary of the temple, huge crowds of devotees visit this temple, and various religious and cultural activities take place on that day too.
The zatra has the usual fair one sees in Goa, with various stalls of khaje, ladoo , other sweets and clothes, toys, utensils, etc.