The 125th Year Of Vasco Saptah

Every year, in the month of July/August the quaint town of Vasco-da-Gama welcomes with utmost exhilaration the age-old festival of Saptah.

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This festival falls during the Sharavan period of the Hindu calendar and generally commences its ceremonies on the second day of Nagapanchami each year. This celebration has associated itself with a miracle that is known to have liberated the entire town from damnation. Some say that over a century ago, in the year 1898, Vasco was battling a crisis, a disaster bound to lead the entire town to its extinction, citizens believe it was plague or cholera spreading fast through the settlements.

During this period, a few humbled citizens journeyed to the temple of Lord Damodar in Zambaulim, South Goa. Praying for their town's survival, they brought back a coconut given in the form of prasad (religious offering). Within a few days, like a miracle, the unfortunate curse was finally lifted from the city, and the outbreak died down in the following days after the consecration of Lord Damodar in the heart of Vasco City. Hence, to memorialize and extend the township's gratitude towards Lord Damodar, the people of this city hold an extravagant grandeur of festivities, annually, known as the stupendous Vasco Saptah.

Vasco Saptah 2024 Well, that happened one hundred and twenty-five years ago, nevertheless, the real question is, what goes on beyond the extensive ceremonies and religious hymns? It is understood that the prayers and bhajans are carried out only for the first twenty-four hours, however, in the following days of Saptah, the preponderance of importance has been given to the feiri which is essentially a huge fair that is spread across the entire city, blocking the majority of the main roads for up to seven days.