I bet many of you never seen like this before.. Khandi Furis Feast, Maina Curtorim
I too was not aware of such an unique celebrations of the road side Holy Cross. On our annual Holy Cross Feast day, we see around 100 including friends and family But this one we are talking in thousands, say 10,000 plus or visit blog here http://joegoauk.blogspot.in/2012/08/the-unique-khandi-khuris-feast-at-maina.html feast video (uncut) - with previews in the begining http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbGR3hn2Rxg I was first notified in an email by a Bombay Goan last year as he himself was there and spent 3.15hrs in the Q. We were there around 11.45am, on the main road traffic was jammed, no room even to walk. We walked more than a KM to the road opp St. Rita Church, from where it is about 1.6 Km to the Holy cross shrine via the Fields – Bandh The Qs Two lines moving in opposite direction on the Curtorim Main Road (opp St. Rita Church) One would join the Q as far as at Courtorim Church / Lake and walk upto 2kms and then take U turn to be in the main Q, another KM and then another about 1.6kms to the Shrine from the main Road. However, we have seen lot of cheating by jumping the Q etc but for many, nothing has stopped them, not even the heavy rains. I walked about 1+1.6 KM one way. Peculiarities of the feast: - It takes 3-5 hours in the Q to venerate the Holy Cross in the Field Bundh or Khanddi /Handi /Manos or sluice gate. - If the line or the Q was in a straight line, it would be about 4.5km long - From the main road to the field Holy Cross (Shrine / Chapel), the distance is about 1.6kms - No Feri or Hawkers around the shrine or the entire 1.6kms stretch (There were beggars though, seated on the ground). - Although the entire stretch if of Tarred road, it was like NoMoZo or no vehicles on the road not even two wheelers and cycles. - Free drinks to all (Pepsi products) as you come out of the shrine – Snacks also offered. - Main Attraction: FREE meals to all (Biryani, Pullav, Chicken, Sweets, Dos, Attol /Goddxem, etc see pics) offered by the devotees who have been granted favours, and who have pledged (Angonn) to give free lunch etc. Offered in plates and packs, some even take home. - Normally, in any feast fair, one can see some 'chonnekars' or Doskars shouting – Chonne vhor bai, Kahajem vhor bai but here you see ‘ Jevonn jei bai, yo bab yo bai..’ - Besides Donation Counter, there is also a gift counter ‘gift to God’ ranges from buiscuits packs, Cakes etc see pic. As for the Donation, it could even cross 10 lacs this year. We Had Id Holiday on 20th Aug. Besides, there was Helpline, Lost & found Counter, Feast brass band etc see pics / video The feast is celebrated on 20th August every year except when 20th falls on Sunday, it is celebrated on Monday, I am told. Starts early mooning till late. Best time to visit I would say early morning and after say 4pm, as I feel there is more rush during lunch time And the joke of the day is.. I took 4 guys with me for the free meals etc but I ended up paying their lunch bill at a restaurant in Margao. Reason being, there was no way we could stand in the Q for 3-5 hours. However, I have requested a volunteer to let me in so that I can take some photographs etc. thanks to him. ( I was not at all aware of the Q, although it was mentioned in the email last year) Some pics here The starting Point from the Main Road http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7839746046/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7839711760/in/photostream the Holy Cross or the Miraculous Handi Cross http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7839718142/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7839721236/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7840145382/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7840146358/in/photostream/ the Chapel http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7839724480/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7840150168/in/photostream/ entrance http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7839727656/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7840165004/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7840168478/in/photostream/ God Gits counter http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7839735240/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7839731018/in/photostream/ Close to the chapel http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7839738704/in/photostream/ Pepsi drinks http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7840173702/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7840179136/in/photostream/ Eating Zone http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7839743148/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7839790672/sizes/l/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7840124524/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7840128606/in/photostream/ this ‘Attol’ reminded me of my mother who was very good at it http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7839714968/in/photostream/ khajem or Dos http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7839749630/in/photostream/ Chonne http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7839752578/in/photostream/ St. Rita Church (1960) http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7839755084/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7839759312/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7839765934/in/photostream/ St. Rita of Cassia http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7839761972/in/photostream/ The Q in the Greenfield etc http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7839770516/sizes/l/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7839776206/sizes/l/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7839782028/sizes/l/in/photostream/ resting time http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7839786664/sizes/l/in/photostream/ Q - Approaching the Shrine http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7840154122/in/photostream/ sluice gate partly seen http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7840161382/in/photostream/ Its raining http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7840139214/sizes/l/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7840141396/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7840131196/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7840134104/in/photostream/ Festa Muzg or Feast brass band http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7840144290/in/photostream/ Helpline, Donations etc http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk58/7840136600/in/photostream/ blog http://joegoauk.blogspot.in/2012/08/the-unique-khandi-khuris-feast-at-maina.html [email protected] for Goa & NRI related info... http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/ For Goan Video Clips http://youtube.com/joeukgoa In Goa, Dial 1 0 8 For Hospital, Police, Fire etc
