MILAGRES: MAJOR FEAST OF BARDEZ

Once Easter has been celebrated, the flood gates of the season of feasts are thrown open in Goa. The feasts are celebrated in several parishes. However, there is nothing to compare to the famed feast of Our Lady of Milagres at St Jerome's church in Mapusa. This feast draws the largest crowd of devotees north of the Mandovi river.

This year it came quite early in April. Otherwise, 'Milagr Saibinnichem fest' and the fire-walking Sirigao Zatra are generally celebrated within the same week. Of course, many Hindu devotees flock to pay their respects and to pour coconut oil over the statue of Our Lady or to offer wax figurines in repayment of favours received by them or honour some vow.

The Hindus in Mapusa consider 'Milagr Saibinn' as a sister of the Hindu deity Lahirayee in Usgao. In fact, they say that these are seven sisters, with one brother called Khetko. The Catholics, of course, do not lend credence to such legends. But they respect the traditional beliefs of the Hindu devotees

A lot of importance is attached to the feast. The 'Milagres' feast in Mapusa is generally considered as one of the unique manifestations of the strong bonds of communal harmony between the Hindu and Catholic communities in Goa.

For almost a week from the feast day, the parallel roads running on either side of St Jerome's church are crowded with people visiting the extensive fair, which is very popular for furniture.