The ‘kalas’ of Shree Devi Lairai returned to the temple at Shirgao after the four days of ‘kaulotsav’, marking the conclusion of the jatra on Saturday night in Bicholim.
The five-day jatra this year was held with several safety measures in place to avoid any untoward incident similar to last year’s stampede that killed six people.
Temple president Dinanath Gaonkar said this year’s jatra was successful due to the efforts of the state administration, especially the police force. He commended the coordinated efforts that ensured a smooth and safe event for all devotees.
Devotees have urged the government to continue these measures every year so that everyone can move and witness this jatra hazard-free. The enhanced security protocols included crowd control barriers, additional medical teams, and strict monitoring of visitor flow.
The successful conclusion of the festival has brought relief to the local community and authorities, who had been under pressure to prevent any recurrence of the tragic incident. The temple committee expressed gratitude to all volunteers and officials who contributed to the safe conduct of the event.
