Chorao festival- Homkand

Hello Readers, since our blog is about Secreats of Goa .I’ll be telling about one Festival which is unknown to most of them . “Homkand”, The most favourite festival of Chorao folks.As most of them must be unaware of it let me first brief about my beautiful village chorao.Chorao is also known as Chodna, is an Island along the mandovi river . It is the largest among  other 17 islands of Goa. It is located 5KM away from the state capital the city of Panjim. Chorao is accessible by the ferries from Ribandar.Chorao is mainly known for its beautiful bird sanctuary. Saude is the centre of the Island.

Homkand is enjoyed by all Men, Women, Children and old .Its practised in the month of March .After the whole colourfull celebration of holi.This unique festival is only celebrated in Chorao. Chorao might seem a very small place but its a beautifull village within us .homkand is celebrated at two different places  the central part of chorao, Saude and the other at Madel.The preparation for this festival begains with very aunthusiasum  .As for my personal experience, I reside at Chorao since i was born That is 1997.since its practiced at two different places let me discuss about my favourite one the one held at Madel .Most of the Crowd is seen there.everyones houses are filled with positive vides and relatives residing from different places.

“Homkand” is derived from a Sanskrit word  “Homkund” which relates to  burning of  evil powers around, in the holly fire .As the name describes Homkand  is celebratd by putting up a huge bunch of wood on fire .The height of the bunch is around 20 ft. The Homkand is commenced by the beautiful  and energetic traditional  dance  performed by young boys of  Chorao .This dance is the main highlight of the festival. As most of the crowd gathers specially to enjoy this traditional dance.The most important part of homkand is the possession of few special people of the village by the Diety “Bhumika Mata “It is belived  that the soul of godess and few other supernatural powers enters the body of this people for the betterment   of society.The conversation between the god and the priest continues for a long time .Later the festival  is ended by breaking of coconuts by all the males present at the temple.And the same coconut is taken home as the “Prasad”

The preparation of this festival starts from  a month prior. It includes decorating the temple, some people  go throught the whole village and gets wood.The wood is given willingly from every household .Every men keeps aside a bunch of wood to be given for the festival .By collecting all the bunch of wood its kept near the temple where actually Homkand is held. Boys feel very energetic that day ,they just cant wait to dance.The energy is all around the village. Newly married couple comes speacially to this temple to take blessings .  As the night arrives all the people gathers at the temple .The festival is commenced by the dance and it continues for a long time.Then the Homkand with many bunches of wood is lite up and slowly the fire turns very big . its sometime scary to watch.The the traditional “ Aartis “ are sung withmany instruments there is lots of noise during Aarti and many of them fight to play the instrumens.No body leaves their place till the fill gets reduce the dance and artis are continued . After few hours when  the fire have slowed down  its time for most dangerous thing to happen .All the boys runs across fire {Some even run 2-3 time} the fire is still so hot but they do it very effortlessly.Now a days childrens are also seen running through the fire.But by the grace of god nobody is harmed or damage their legs.and finally the festival is ended by breaking of coconuts .This is how the festival is held in Chorao .Its always worth watching this beautifull night.