MAANGE THAPNE Honouring the Guardian of the River

In the serene heart of Ponda Taluka, where the river whispers its timeless secrets, a sacred ritual unfolds each year-a ritual of harmony, where man and nature come together in reverence.

- Niharika Sachdeva

This is Maange Thapne, a celebration of the eternal bond between the villagers of Durbhat, Talaulim, Adulshem, and Tamshirem and the crocodile, locally called "Mange." Celebrated on the last day of the Paush month, beneath the new moon of Amvashya, it is a profound homage to the protector of the land-the crocodile, revered as a guardian of the community.

For centuries, the villagers have honored this majestic creature, not simply as a river dweller, but as a spirit-a silent guardian who watches over the earth and its people. With each passing year, they gather to express their gratitude, seek blessings for the harvest, and acknowledge the unseen forces that protect their homes and fields.

Shaping the Guardian: Crafting the Crocodile