Daijiworld News Network - Goa (MB)
Text and pics by Rajtilak Naik from Panaji
Panaji, Jul 9: The much-awaited Goa's traditional 'Chikhal kaalo' festival was held with great fun and fervour.
The festival is celebrated on the first day after the 'ashadhi (monsoon) ekadasi' of the Hindu calendar.
People are seen moving towards the muddy ground after praying in the temple
Sweets are being distributed before the 'chikhal kaalo' celebration started
A young boy is seen having a great time playing the 'chikhal kaalo'
The chikhal kaalo splash
Sitting around during the 'chikhal kaalo'
Fully involved young children
The effect
One of the games played in the 'chikhal kaalo'
"That was too much for us"
Age...no bar. but males only
'Chikhal kaalo' is the traditional way of playing in the soft monsoon mud. The fun celebration is a depiction of how Lord Krishna used to play during his childhood and youth days.
There are some rules going with the 'chikhal kaalo'. One of the prime rule states that the 'chikhal kaalo' should be played only by young boys and men, no women is allowed to take part in the said celebration however they can enjoy the 'chikhal kaalo' by sitting in the audience seat.
This traditional game is played on the muddy ground in front of the Shri Devkikrishna temple in Marcela (north Goa).
Before the celebrations people gather in the temple and pray to the deity by dancing. and thereafter make their way to the ground.
The first thing they do is distribute sweets and other eatables like fruits and than start with the main show.
'Chikhal kaalo' is played in sections having altogether 12 different games which are to be played in the mud. Some of the games played involve catching, hide-and-seek and so on.
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