Vasco: Vasco’s 127th Shree Damodar Bhajani Saptah began on Tuesday at the Shree Damodar temple under tight security, drawing thousands of devotees.The annually offered shreefal was installed at the feet of the deity at 12.30pm by industrialist Prashant Joshi in the presence of his family, Bhajani Saptah Utsav Samitti president Bharat Kolgaonkar, secretary Suresh Naik, and other committee members.The 24-hour non-stop chain bhajan then commenced with bhajan artiste Ashok Mandrekar leading chants of “Jai Jai Ram Krishna Hari,” assisted by Babu Gadekar, Surya Shetye, and Anil Kondurkar. The continuous bhajan will run until the next day, with multiple bhajani groups, including both men and women, participating.Bhajan performances by artistes invited by six community groups brought devotees together for devotional music and prayers. Tableaux (paar) depicting mythological scenes, displayed on trucks and pickup vehicles, attracted large crowds, while the traditional dindi was another major highlight.Transport minister Mauvin Godinho, MLAs Krishna Salkar, Sankalp Amonkar, former power minister Milind Naik, and several others visited the temple.South Goa collector Egna Cleetus, deputy collector and sub divisional magistrate, Mormugao, Pratap Gaonkar, Mormugao mamlatdar Pravinjay Pandit, SP Gurudas Kadam and Vasco PI Vaibhav Naik were present at the site to oversee security and other arrangements.With the Saptah fair continuing for seven days, Swatantra Path and St Joseph Vaz Lane will remain closed as hundreds of stalls and shops operate in the area.
