Latest news with #ShreeDeviLairai
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Time of India
Shirgao's unique topography makes it a challenge for authorities
Panaji: When the 4.5m wide road narrows to around 3m, and a three-hour window sees around 70,000 'dhonds', special devotees of Shree Devi Lairai , to walk over the ' homkund ', it presents a significant challenge for Goa police and other state authorities to avoid untoward incidents. The village of Shirgao is surrounded by agricultural fields and hills, many of which are now cut to carry out iron ore mining. The village has access from two sides — one is from the Assonora side, and the other from the Poira side. From the Poira side, there are two roads that connect Shirgao — one passes through the mine, and the other is a recently-tarred road. The distance between the main temple and the 'homkund' is around 1.5km, and people have to pass through this road to visit the temple or 'homkund', and vice-versa if they have parked their vehicles either on the Poira or Assonora sides. There is no other road that can be used by devotees to reach the temple and 'homkund'. As many shops are erected during the jatra, the width of the road becomes 3m. When the village of 2,000 people witnesses over 1 lakh visitors for the jatra, the road is completely choked, and people cannot walk, let alone bring vehicles. Police usually keep their vehicles at Assonora or behind the main temple. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Co-Founder of Google Brain, Andrew Ng, Is Reported To Have Read Every... Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo As there is around a three-hour window period to walk on the 'homkund', 'dhonds' try to rush to the 'homkund'. The goddess lights the fire to the 'homkund' at around midnight, and the 'dhonds' start walking from around 2.30am. After having a bath in the pond nearby, they rush towards the 'homkund' to walk on the burning coal. After the walk, they return to their vehicle; if they have parked it on the Assonora side, they have to take the same route yet again, that they took to walk on the burning coal.
Gulf Today
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
6 killed, over 30 injured in stampede at Goa temple
At least six people were killed and more than 30 injured after a stampede took place during the Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao village of Goa. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday. Preliminary reports suggest the overcrowding and lack of proper arrangements as possible causes behind the incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended condolences to those who lost their lives in the stampede that occurred during the Lairai Devi temple festivities in Shirgao village. "Saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede in Shirgao, Goa. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement. PM Modi also spoke with Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and reviewed the situation in detail, offering full support from the Centre during this difficult time. CM Sawant personally visited the hospital to assess the condition of the injured. Later, posting on X, the Chief Minister said, "Deeply saddened by the tragic stampede at the Lairai Zatra in Shirgaon this morning. I visited the hospital to meet the injured and have assured all possible support to the affected families. I am personally monitoring the situation to ensure that every necessary measure is being taken." According to the eyewitnesses, the situation escalated after a part of the crowd lost control. Locals and the volunteers at the temple rushed to pull people to safety. The stampede took place as thousands of devotees thronged the temple to witness and participate in the centuries-old ritual at the temple, where barefoot 'dhonds' walk across a bed of burning embers. The Shri Lairai Yatra is held in North Goa every year, attracting more than 50,000 devotees. The stampede occurred when, at one point along the route, due to a downward slope, the crowd began moving rapidly all at once. According to reports, the injured were shifted to nearby hospitals. North Goa Superintendent of Police Akshat Kaushal said, "Six dead and more than 15 injured in a stampede that occurred at the Lairai Devi temple in Shrigao." The stampede took place amid Shree Devi Lairai jatra, which commenced on Friday, with thousands of devotees flocking there. Around 1,000 police personnel were deployed for the jatra as the administration is on its toes. Drones were also placed for aerial surveillance of crowd movements. Earlier on Friday, Chief Minister Sawant, his wife Sulakshana, Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanawade, and MLAs Premendra Shet and Carlos Ferreira, visited the jatra. The temple, known for its blend of northern and southern architectural styles, hosts the Shirgao Jatra every May. The festival, which features a traditional fire-walking ritual, attracts thousands of devotees. Villagers from nearby areas, including Maulingem, participate in the religious rituals and offerings dedicated to Goddess Lairai throughout the day, as mentioned on the Goa Tourism website. As midnight nears during the Lairai Jatra, devotees perform a spirited circular dance inside the temple, clashing sticks in rhythm with drum beats. The incident took place in the early hours of Saturday as a large number of devotees had gathered for the annual yatra. According to sources, at least six people lost their lives, and over 30 were injured in the stampede. Indo-Asian News Service
Hans India
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Goa govt cancels public celebrations following tragic stampede at Shree Devi Lairai Zatra
New Delhi: As an expression of condolences to the victims and their families affected by the tragic stampede incident at the Shree Devi Lairai temple at Shirgao on Saturday, the Government of Goa has directed that all government-supported festive events and public celebrations scheduled over the next three days be cancelled or postponed. The General Administration Department issued a notification which read, "In view of the tragic stampede incident that occurred during the Shree Devi Lairai Zatra at Shirgao, and as an expression of condolences to the departed and their families, the Government of Goa hereby directs that all Government-supported festive programmes and public celebrations scheduled over the next three days be cancelled or postponed. All Heads of Departments, Government Corporations and Autonomous Bodies are hereby instructed to ensure strict compliance of this directive." At least six people were killed and more than 30 injured after a stampede took place during the Lairai Devi Zatra in Shirgao village of Goa. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday. Preliminary reports suggest overcrowding and lack of proper arrangements as possible causes behind the incident. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday visited the hospital to check on the injured persons. According to the eyewitnesses, the situation escalated after a part of the crowd lost control. Locals and the volunteers at the temple rushed to pull people to safety. The stampede took place as thousands of devotees thronged the temple to witness and participate in the centuries-old ritual at the temple, where barefoot 'dhonds' walk across a bed of burning embers. The Lairai yatra, which takes place annually, attracts more than 50,000 devotees to the temple in North Goa. A key aspect of the centuries-old tradition is the participation of barefoot 'dhonds' who walk across a bed of burning embers, a ritual symbolising deep faith and spiritual endurance. The stampede occurred when, at one point along the route, due to a downward slope, the crowd began moving rapidly all at once and some people lost their balance and fell.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Drones and heavy security blanket Shirgao jatra
Panaji/Bicholim: Shree Devi Lairai jatra at Shirgao started on Friday with thousands of dhonds (devotees) raising slogans of Har Har Mahadev and Lairai Mata Ki Jai. Dhonds fast during the five days of the festival and travel not just from across Goa but also from neighbouring Maharashtra and Karnataka. Dinanath Gaonkar, president of the temple management committee, said that govt has made the arrangements required to ensure trouble-free proceedings during the five days of the festivity. The state administration has been on its toes, as around 1,000 police personnel were deployed for the jatra. Drones were placed to maintain aerial surveillance on the crowd movements. A vajra van (riot control vehicle) was also stationed at the venue. Chief minister Pramod Sawant , accompanied by his wife, Sulakshana, Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanawade, and MLAs Premendra Shet and Carlos Ferreira, visited the jatra to seek the blessing of the goddess. This year, the jatra saw its largest-ever police deployment for security and smooth proceedings. SP North Akshat Kaushal said that one dySP, 14 police inspectors, 28 police sub-inspectors, 16 assistant sub-inspectors, 50 head constables, 310 police constables, and 65 lady police constables from the North Goa district police were deployed for effective crowd control and to ensure safe and smooth passage for the devotees. In addition, three male and two female platoons of IRBn, along with 50 police constables from the reserve police force, were deployed. From the traffic police, one dySP, seven police inspectors, 18 police sub-inspectors/assistant sub-inspectors, and 300 police constables/home guards were deployed to maintain the smooth flow of traffic and proper parking of vehicles in designated areas. Police staff in civil clothes were also deployed to monitor and identify anti-social elements and to prevent crimes such as pickpocketing and eve-teasing.
