Balli Shidiyotsav: A Sacred Celebration of Faith and Tradition

Every year, the quiet village of Balli in South Goa comes alive with fervent devotion, spiritual rituals, and age-old traditions as it hosts the revered Gade Festival, also known as Shidiyotsav. Celebrated at the Shree Shantadurga Ballikarin Sansthan, this five-day festival is a vibrant testament to the region’s enduring cultural and spiritual heritage.

The festivities begin with the Shristi Divja fast and reach their spiritual climax with the dramatic Gado ritual—a unique and emotionally charged spectacle that draws thousands of devotees. In this central ritual, a devotee known as the Gado is tied face down to a 15-foot pole and swung in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. This powerful act symbolizes complete surrender and devotion to Goddess Shantadurga, seeking her protection and blessings.

Another moving moment of the festival is the Kaul Prasad ritual, where devotees receive sacred offerings believed to signify the goddess’s acceptance of their prayers. Each day of the celebration is rich with ceremonies that honor the deity and engage the entire community.

Among the most poignant customs is the ritual where the Mahajans of the Devi symbolically offer their children to the goddess. A ceremonial wooden log, referred to as Lath, is installed in front of the temple as a precursor to the Gado ritual. Women devotees offer divaj (lamps) to the goddess, and the Devi is taken in a grand procession on a lion chariot, adding to the festive atmosphere.

The grand finale of the event is the Maharatha procession, in which the deity is paraded with pomp and reverence, accompanied by Mahajans and Kulavis. The culmination of the Gade Festival is witnessed by throngs of the faithful, as chants, music, and rituals create a deeply spiritual experience.

Adding to the uniqueness of the festival is a rare tradition observed by the Mahajans of Ballikarin, known as Gado Bhetovni. On the day of Godetsov, young boys receive blessings from the goddess through an extraordinary ritual where a needle and thread are gently pinned to their abdomen. The boys fast and offer prayers to their Kuldevi in a symbolic act of initiation, linking the younger generation to their ancestral faith.

More than just a celebration, the Balli Jatra is a profound expression of Goa’s syncretic culture, where ancient customs are kept alive through community involvement and spiritual continuity. It reinforces social bonds and strengthens the collective commitment to a shared cultural identity.

As sacred chants echo through Balli and incense fills the air, this age-old festival continues to inspire awe, devotion, and unity—a living tradition that speaks to the very soul of Goa.

Photos by Lynn Barreto Miranda / lynn.barretomiranda.com

Photos are of the Balli Shidiyotsav held on 16th March 2012 (top) and 26th March 2022 (bottom).