Keri: Otavane Sawantwadi village attracted several players to the Dussehra celebration for tracking its roots to the Sawantwadkar Dynasty Bhosles, who had ruled Bicholim, Sattari and Pernem.
The 9th day of the first two weeks Ashwin was celebrated as Mahanavami at the Temple of Ravalnath Otavane – Dewa Village leadership.
On that occasion, a festive badge called Tarangas from Sateri, Kulacho Purvas and Ravalnath was wrapped with 9 yard saree and decorated with gold ornaments brought from the Sawantwadi treasury.
The metal replica of the metal, represents Ravalnath, and two metal masks that represent the satieri and Kulacho Purvas are installed at the top of the symbol.
In the midst of the drums of folk music instruments such as Dhol and Taso, a symbolic wedding ceremony called ‘Shivlago’ from Ravalnath with Sateri and Cancoa Devi was held.
After that, AABTA leaves (Bauhinia Racemosa) are exchanged among worshipers visualizing it as gold.
A Tarang (Insignia) from Kulacho Purvas was taken in the procession to Samadhi (Tomb) Khem Sawant Otavanekar, the 17th ruler of the State of Sawantwadi.
Samadhi is located at the meeting of Gad Nadi (river) with Dabil Nadi (river) which then met and formed a terphol river flowing towards Goa.
At night Dussehra, a ravlanath worshiper will be obsessed with divine intervention, believed.
In deep trance and meditative state, irregularities possessed bless people from afar and widely included from Goa.
Anant Shantaram Gaonkar from Otavane spoke to Tii, “once, Pernem, Bicholim and Sattari Talukas were under the State of Sawantwadi.
The worshipers were used to be handled in large quantities to pay thanks to Ravalnath and get blessings.” Dewa like Ravalnath together , Bhagwati, Kalakadevi, Kshetrapal, Vetal, Jeshtadevi, Mharing and Mahadev are worshiped here.
However, Ravalnath is considered a guardian god that protects villagers from natural disasters, social crime and magic.
That is why God is popular among most social classes in Otavane and its surroundings.
The celebration of Dussehra Otavane reflects not only social-cultural heritage, but bygone history.
The days related to the rulers of Sawantwadi, who had worshiped Ravalnath as God’s gods.
Otavane, a cultural bridge that connects Goa to Sawantwadi
