The Baina Khapreshwar Saunsthan committee has offered a newly crafted silver turban (Feto) weighing 2.170 kilograms and valued at approximately ₹5.50 lakh to Dev Khapreshwar, marking a significant moment of devotion and cultural pride for the local community.
The offering reflects the enduring faith of devotees and the Saunsthan’s commitment to preserving age-old traditions associated with the revered deity. The silver turban has been meticulously crafted, symbolising respect, reverence, and gratitude towards Dev Khapreshwar.
Such ceremonial offerings form an integral part of Goa’s rich religious and cultural landscape, where faith is expressed not only through prayer but also through sacred artefacts and rituals handed down through generations. The presentation of the new Feto stands as a testament to the strong bond between the temple, its devotees, and the surrounding community.
Members of the Saunsthan committee expressed that the offering was made with the collective blessings and support of devotees, reinforcing the spiritual and cultural significance of the shrine. The event drew attention from locals who viewed the offering as a moment of pride and devotion for Baina and neighbouring areas.
Mapusa/Vithalwadi: The Shatakautsav Mahotsav commemorating 100 years of the Vitthal Rakhumai Temple at Vithalwadi was inaugurated with religious fervour and community participation, marking the temple’s entry into its centenary year.
The inauguration was attended by Dy. Speaker and MLA of Mapusa Joshua De Souza, along with Tourism Minister and MLA of Porvorim Rohan Khaunte. The centenary celebrations highlight the temple’s enduring spiritual legacy and its deep-rooted connection with the local community.
The Shatakautsav Mahotsav will feature nearly 100 programmes, including 1,000 pujas, the traditional Palki procession, and a series of devotional and cultural activities aimed at celebrating the region’s rich spiritual heritage.
The celebrations will continue until February 1, 2026, reflecting a strong foundation of faith, tradition, and collective participation. The organising committee, comprising members from multiple generations, has played a key role in ensuring that the centenary celebrations represent both continuity and inclusiveness.
The event stands as a tribute to a century of devotion, community bonding, and the preservation of cultural and spiritual traditions associated with the Vitthal Rakhumai Temple.
Rajesh Faldessai, Chairman of the Goa Rehabilitation Board and Cumbarjua MLA, has fulfilled a significant personal and spiritual vow made during last year’s Sangodd Utsav by offering a gold crown and necklace to Devi Shree Shantadurga Khubharjuvekarin at Marcel. This promise was made in 2024 after a potentially tragic incident was narrowly avoided during the annual water float festival, where two canoes carrying floats had capsized. Thankfully, due to the swift actions of participants and onlookers, all individuals involved were safely rescued, and no casualties occurred.
Faldessai had publicly declared that he would offer a token of gratitude to the Goddess for her divine intervention and protection during the incident. A year later, on the same auspicious occasion of Sangodd Utsav, the MLA fulfilled his vow in the presence of his wife Rima, temple committee members, local panchayat members, and several devotees.
Among the dignitaries present were Sarpanch of V.P Cumbarjua Shri Sachin Gaude, Panch Members Shri Nandakumar Shet and Smt. Vinda Joshi, President of the Shantadurga Khubharjuvekarin Devasthan Shri Shivaji Shet, and various other committee members.
Expressing his emotions during the event, Faldessai shared his continued devotion to the Goddess and thanked her for safeguarding the lives of his constituents. He stated, “In view of this incident, I had sought Devi’s intervention to ensure none of the participants are hurt, and I vowed to offer a gold crown and necklace to Devi as a thanksgiving for her protection. I am extremely delighted that Devi’s blessings and protection are upon all the people of Cumbarjua.”
He also extended his gratitude to the state government and the Department of Tourism for their support, including the provision of two new canoes for this year’s Sangodd celebrations. Additional safety measures, including ambulances and emergency services, were also arranged to ensure a secure and joyous festival atmosphere.
The offering marks a moment of spiritual fulfillment and showcases the continued cultural and religious significance of the Sangodd Utsav in Goa, blending faith, tradition, and community resilience.
Panaji, June 2025 — In a significant move to diversify its tourism offerings beyond sun, sand, and sea, the Government of Goa has announced a new spiritual tourism initiative titled ‘Ekadasha Teertha Yatra’. The program will spotlight 11 revered temples across the state, crafting a well-curated pilgrimage circuit for visitors seeking spiritual enrichment and cultural immersion.
While Goa is internationally known for its beaches and nightlife, its ancient temples and rich spiritual heritage have long remained underexplored by mainstream tourists. The Ekadasha Teertha Yatra—literally meaning “Pilgrimage of Eleven Sacred Sites”—aims to change that.
The yatra will include stops at 11 iconic temples, representing various deities and regions of Goa. These sacred sites will offer a glimpse into the state’s syncretic history, traditional rituals, temple architecture, and the living culture of devotion practiced by Goans for generations.
“We want to highlight Goa’s lesser-known spiritual richness,” said Tourism Director Kedar Naik, who shared details of the initiative following a strategic meeting held with representatives of the identified temples earlier this week.
Enhancing the Pilgrim Experience
The Goa Tourism Department plans to integrate the circuit with guided tours, devotional music experiences, temple festivals, and local food trails, allowing tourists to engage not only with places of worship but with the broader cultural ecosystem that surrounds them.
Key features under development include:
Temple route mapping with historical and mythological context
Eco-friendly transport options for pilgrims
Spiritual wellness add-ons such as yoga and Ayurveda sessions
Souvenir and prasadam kiosks at each site
Enhanced infrastructure and accessibility at key temples
Tourism officials also indicated that the yatra will be promoted on both domestic and international platforms, positioning Goa as a holistic destination for the spiritually inclined traveler.
Temples Included in the Yatra
While the final list of temples is yet to be officially released, the circuit is expected to include renowned pilgrimage sites such as:
Shri Mangeshi Temple (Priol)
Shri Shantadurga Temple (Kavale)
Shri Mahadev Temple (Tambdi Surla)
Shri Mahalasa Temple (Mardol)
Shri Nageshi Temple (Ponda) …and others known for their religious and architectural significance.
Promoting Sustainable & Cultural Tourism
The Ekadasha Teertha Yatra is part of Goa’s broader strategy to decentralize tourism and encourage sustainable, culturally rooted travel. By spotlighting spiritual heritage, the state hopes to attract tourists seeking meaningful and reflective journeys, particularly in the post-pandemic era where wellness and mindfulness tourism are on the rise.
