Margao gears up for 116th Dindi Mahotsav as state festival

Margao: Shree Harimandir Devasthan Margao is celebrating the 116th edition of its historic Dindi Mahotsav from Oct 30 to Nov 4, with the main event scheduled for Nov 3. The festival was accorded the status of a state-level celebration by govt earlier this year.

South Goa district collector Egna Cleetus, along with South Goa superintendent of police Tikam Singh Verma and other officials, conducted a joint inspection on Thursday to review festival preparations.

The Dindi festival celebrates Kartiki Ekadashi, marking the end of the four-month Chaturmas period in the Hindu calendar. The tradition began in 1909 when devotees of Shree Vithal Rakhumayee from Maharashtra, who settled in Goa during Portuguese rule, started the festival after being unable to undertake their pilgrimage to Pandharpur due to travel restrictions imposed by the foreign regime.

The festival’s centrepiece is the procession of the deity’s palanquin from Shree Harimandir in Pajifond, making several halts before reaching Shree Vithal Mandir at Comba in the predawn hours, and returning the following forenoon.

Known for its sangeet maifals and bhajani baithaks, the Dindi has attracted renowned musicians over the decades. Legendary performers, including Bal Gandharva, Pt Bhimsen Joshi, Pt Jasraj, and Pt Jeetendra Abhisheki, have graced the festival. The event draws large crowds from across Goa and neighbouring states.

The highlights of the festival this year will be kirtan concerts by Sandip Mandke from Pune on Nov 1 and 2, and classical music concerts by Rajyog Dhuri from Pune, and Swarangi Marathe from Mumbai during the main event on Nov 3.

“The elevation of Madgaonkars’ beloved Dindi to a state-level festival will provide the much-needed boost to preserve and promote the age-old traditions associated with this cultural and religious celebration, which has become an integral part of Margao's identity,” said Harimandir Devasthan committee president, Suhas Kamat.