Gadyachi Jatra- The Festival Of Ghosts

                                                                                                                                                                                                               Shigmo is considered the most appropriate occasion to express gratitude to ghosts and spirits in Goa. As we all know that science dose not believe in the existence of life after death, but many culture in the world have a lot of rituals dedicated to ghosts and spirits. The Gadyanchi of Sal, Borde-Bicholim, Pilgao, Kudne, Savoi-Verem are about ghosts{bhuta} and holy spirits.
In Poinguinim, Canacona, there is a  Betal temple which is also associated with the Gadyachi Jatra' that is celebrated in April once in three years. Four males dressed in a white dhoti, known as gade', take part in ceremony along with other devotees.  In front of the Betal temple a tall platform of areca nut trunks is erected on  which the gade' are suspended by hooks to a revolving wheel. Only when the audience declare to the mall gaddo' that they are satisfied are the gade ' set  free.
Sal in Bicholim is famous for Gadyanchi jatra which attracts huge number of people from Goa. As per Hindu tradition, Mahadev is regarded as the gad of ghosts. On the second day of holi at the night persons dressed in the white dhoti assembled at the place called 'mand'. As soon as a huge crowd which means 'romat' comes to the mand they start dancing on the beats of dhol and taso.
Elderly people sit and sing non stop folk songs called 'naman'. On the third night 'devchar' shows chudti or torch. He also hides few 'gades' on the trees and some other hidden place. On these day the hidden gade become unconscious and after pouring sacred water in their mouth they become conscious. They also visit the crematorium and carry remnants of burnt dead bodies in their hands.
The Kudne Gadyanchi jatra is held for three nights without lightning any types of lamps, whereas in Sal lightning of lamps is allowed.