Daijiworld Media Network – Pernem

Pernem, Oct 7: The quaint village of Paliem recently concluded its annual five-day Dussehra ritual, ‘pavner’, where local families host the entire village, neighbouring communities, and devotees from Goa and Maharashtra for a grand community lunch.

The tradition, derived from the Marathi word ‘pahunchar’ meaning “cordial reception of guests,” begins on Dussehra day. It is believed that the folk deities, represented by the ‘tarangas’ (decorative umbrellas) of Lord Ravalnath and Lord Bhutnath, leave the Shree Bhumika Vetal temple to visit the homes of the five host families: Parab, Gawdo, Tilve, Ghadi, and Mahalaxmi-Kiranpani.

Each family prepares lunch and first offers it to the deity, after which devotees visit their homes to receive blessings and partake in the meal. Traditionally, all villagers would join the community lunch, with prasad packed for those unable to attend.

“This period marks the visit of the gods to these five families,” said Eknath Parab, president of the Shree Bhumika Vetal temple committee.

The festivities feature a unique ash gourd ritual, where a member of the Naik clan places the gourd on his stomach and the head of the Madval community splits it in two. As a symbol of prosperity, ‘apte’ leaves (Bauhinia racemosa) are exchanged among participants.

Preparations for the celebrations begin with cleaning the tarangas. The Bhutnath taranga is adorned with nine sarees, and the Ravalnath taranga with 11 sarees, all donated by women married in the village during the year.

The five-day celebrations conclude with the tarangas returning to the Shree Bhumika Vetal temple, marking the end of the festive pavner.