TTT NEWS NETWORK
MUMBAI | 3 SEPTEMBER 2025
The annual Sangod Utsav, celebrated on the seventh day of Ganesh Chaturthi, took center stage at the Cumbharjua Canal, drawing villagers, devotees, and visitors in large numbers. The festival is rooted in the Ganesh Visarjan ritual on the seventh day, which gave rise to this unique centuries-old tradition. Over the years, it has evolved into a vibrant cultural celebration that beautifully captures the essence of Goan life through devotion, performance, and community spirit.
Present to witness the spectacle were Mr.Mauvin Godinho, Minister for Panchayat; Shri Premendra Shet, MLA Mayem; Mr. Kedar Naik, Director Tourism; and Mr. Rajesh Faldesai, MLA (Cumbarjua) & Chairman, Goa Rehabilitation Board, together with Mr. Gaurav Kudchadkar (CSR – Deccan Fine Chemicals), Dr. Shivaji M. Shet (President, Shree ShantadurgaKumbharjuvekarin Temple), Mr. Chandrashekhar Phadte, and local leaders including Mr. Sachin Gaude (Sarpanch) and Mr. Sudhir Phadte (Dy. Sarpanch), supported by Panchayat members and the entire community.
Tourism Minister Mr. Rohan A. Khaunte remarked, “Sangod Utsav is a living canvas of our cultural heritage. By engaging our youth in mythological enactments and artistry, we sustain traditions and foster regenerative tourism in Goa. This festival has evolved into a floating theatre, villagers don colourful costumes, enact characters, and bring stories alive on the water. It connects devotion, creativity, and community in a unique way”
Director Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik stated, “The Sangod Utsav is a fine example of how cultural traditions can be preserved while also becoming a unique attraction for cultural and experiential tourism. Such festivals reinforce Goa’s commitment to regenerative tourism, where communities are at the heart of the experience.”
The ShantadurgaKumbharjuvekarin Temple in Marcel serves as the epicentre of this tradition. After rituals and prayers, Lord Ganesh is carried in procession and placed on a sangod, a decorated platform created by joining two traditional canoes. The idol then makes five ceremonial rounds of the canal before immersion.
Each sangod carried elaborate scenes inspired by the Ramayana, Mahabharata, folk tales, and social themes, anchored in traditional religious performance. Young villagers took charge of float design, dramatic enactments, costumes, and navigation, transforming the canal into a vivid open-air stage and competing for creative excellence. The event drew significant local and regional spectators, reinforcing Cumbarjua’s identity as a vibrant destination for experiential heritage tourism. Entire wards and families across Golwada, Marcel, Rambhuvanwada and surrounding areas came together, tying boats, rehearsing performances, coordinating rituals, and celebrating shared pride.
The 2025 Sangod Utsav reaffirmed the spirit of devotional theatre on water, preserving a centuries-old ritual while creatively engaging multiple generations. With government support and improving infrastructure, the festival grows in scale each year, drawing attention from cultural enthusiasts and strengthening sustainable tourism anchored in local identity.
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