Mulgao's Sacred Peth Festival: Goddess Kelbai's Midnight Journey to Reunite with Sister
The ancient and revered Peth festival dedicated to goddess Kelbai from the village of Mulgao in Bicholim, Goa, is set to unfold at the mystical hour of midnight on March 23. This annual ritual, steeped in deep spiritual significance and local tradition, marks a profound celestial meeting between the goddess and her divine sister.
The Divine Journey and Its Spiritual Significance
According to cherished local belief, goddess Kelbai embarks on a sacred voyage seated within a peth – a specially crafted wooden rectangular box made from cane. Her destination is Gaonkarwada Mayem, where she will reunite with her sister from the Maya Kelbai Panchayatan Devasthan. This divine encounter coincides with her sister's own jatra, which is celebrated with equal fervor at midnight on March 26.
The goddess meets her sister precisely once every year on the auspicious day of Chaitra Shuddha Panchami. For this momentous occasion, she is accompanied by hundreds of devoted followers from the Dhond community and members of the Chowgule community, creating a vibrant and spiritually charged procession.
The Rituals and the Trance-Led Procession
The peth, beautifully adorned with fragrant aboli flowers, is carried on the head of a man known as the "Mode". This individual enters a deep spiritual trance at the commencement of the journey and remains in this elevated state until the procession reaches Mayem. Throughout the trek, devotees reverently offer aboli flowers to the goddess, placing them on a coconut, and seek her divine blessings in the form of kaul.
An intriguing aspect of the ritual occurs when the Peth holder, still in a trance, attempts to run towards the Shri Shantadurga Temple at Gaonkarwada, Bicholim. However, the accompanying Chowgule community and Dhond devotees traditionally intervene to prevent this diversion, ensuring the procession stays true to its intended path.
The Traditional Route and the Return
The time-honored route for the Peth procession winds through the serene forests and villages from Mulgao to Mayem. It passes through Vhalshim, Bordem, Bhailipeth, Sonar Peth, and Pazwada, tracing a path rich with natural beauty and spiritual history.
After a spiritually enriching three-day stay in Mayem village, goddess Kelbai returns to her abode at the temple in Mulgao, traveling back via the tranquil forest route. It is only following her safe return that the community celebrates the Malyachi jatra, concluding the festival cycle with joy and devotion.
This unique festival not only highlights the deep-rooted cultural and religious traditions of the region but also showcases the unwavering faith and communal harmony of the local devotees who uphold these sacred practices year after year.
