Goa pays homage to Lord Shiva through various forms of worship, including the veneration of his attendants. Virbhadra, who is considered one of Parvati and Lord Shiva’s sons, is one such attendant revered in Goa. Although there is no dedicated temple or shrine in Goa for Virbhadra, the deity is held in high esteem and a Virbhadra folk dance is performed during various celebrations across different parts of Goa. The tradition of worshipping Virbhadra and performing the Virbhadra folk dance signifies the influence of Karnataka on Goan culture. The establishment of the Virbhadra folk dance in Goa is believed to have occurred during the Vijaynagar empire.
Every year, people in Bicholim, Ponda and Sanguem talukas perform the Virbhadra folk dance.
How Virbhadra Festival is Celebrated in Bicholim Taluka of Goa?
Bicholim town marks the day before Gudi Padwa, the Hindu New Year, with the Virbhadra folk dance. Bordem showcases a presentation of Virbhadra on the final day of shigmo, while Vithalapur near Sanquelim hosts a performance during the full moon day of the first month of the Hindu calendar, also known as Chaitra Utsav. The establishment of the Shri Vithal temple in Karapur dates back to 1392 AD, and the deity is a popular form of Lord Vishnu responsible for promoting the Bhakti culture in Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and other southern regions of India. Shri Vitthal played a significant role in uniting the two sections of Shaivaites and Vaishnavites, and hence, the Virbhadra dance is performed in the vicinity of the Shri Vithal temple near Sanquelim.
The Virbhadra folk dance of Vithalapur draws a large crowd in Goa, where a folk artist dressed in royal costumes and a cardboard with small flags tied to him performs the dance. Accompanied by the beats of the dhol, taso, and kasale, the artist wears a crown on his head, has long hair, and his face is painted to resemble Virbhadra. During the performance, the artist wields two swords as if engaged in battle, and his aggressive demeanor creates a sense of fear in the audience. This dance, along with Ghodemodni and Viramel, reflects the influence of warfare on the local communities. Following the dance, a chariot procession takes place, making it a highly popular event.
Veerabhadra Celebrations during Shigmo at Ponda, Goa
Hundreds of people gathers at the Shree Vithoba temple at Ponda to witness Veerbhadra walk barefoot on fire. A tradition that came to the coastal state from Karnataka nearly 200 years ago. There is no temple in Goa dedicated to Veerbhadra. But Virabhadra is regarded here as the son of Lord Shiva, he is remembered during the spring festival of Shigmo. Veerabhadra was worshipped by Lingayat kings from Karnataka who ruled Goa for centuries.
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In Ponda, after the performance of Navaro-Vhakal, there is a Virbhadra performance. In other parts of Ponda, the Virbhadra is performed during the Paush, tenth month of the Hindu calendar on the occasion of the eco-feministic festival of dhalo.
Virabhadra Dance at Sanguem, Goa
In Sanguem, on the day of Gudi Padwa, Virbhadra is performed by a member of the Kosambe family. However, before Virbhadra presentation, a girl dressed as goddess Saraswati rides on an effigy of a peacock and performs the enchanting dance of Saraswati.
Story Behind the Veerabhadra Dance in Goa | Significance of Virabhadra Festival of Goa
According to a mythological tale, Daksha, the father of goddess Parvati, held a ceremony of sacrifice to which all gods and goddesses were invited, except for Lord Shiva. When Parvati and Shiva arrived at the event, Daksha publicly insulted them. This lead Parvati to jump into the burning fire and turn to ashes. In response, Shiva created Virbhadra, who not only destroyed the sacrificial ceremony but also unleashed a reign of terror. The Virbhadra folk dance is performed in memory of this incident.
The Virbhadra folk dance which is performed in many parts of Goa, reflects the martial arts tradition of the land. Virbhadra, is the representation of a deity associated with the battle field and his performance of dance is said to inspire the warriors.
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