Bodgeshwar Jatra Festival at Mapusa in Goa

Bodgeshwar Jatra Festival at Mapusa is observed in Paush month. It is the annual jatra and festival at the Mapusa Bodgeshwar Temple in Goa. This annual yatra which also includes a small fair attracts hundreds of devotees. Bodgeshwar Jatra Festival 2027 date is from January 20 to January 22.

Bodgeshwar is also known as Kanakeshwar Baba or Bongini. He is a wish fulfilling deity.

The festival opens with an afternoon pooja, after which mahaprasad is distributed. Fruits and flowers are offered to Lord Bodgeshwar by temples from across the region. As the day progresses, devotees begin arriving at the temple to fulfil their vows and present offerings.

Cultural programmes take place in the evenings, adding to the festive atmosphere. On designated days, different groups and associations—including temple committees, rickshaw unions, fish and vegetable vendors, drivers’ associations, and the Mapusa Municipal Council—conduct Satya Narayan pooja at the temple. A large fair is also organised in the open grounds surrounding the shrine.

Devotees from all sections of society—students, traders, farmers, and professionals—visit the temple to seek the blessings of the deity.

The shrine and its premises are beautifully decorated during the period with flowers, lamps and lights.

Unique rituals which are held only during special location are performed on the day.

Mapusa Bodgeshwar Story

Bodgeshwar is revered locally as the guardian deity of Mapusa, believed to protect the town and its people.

Popular belief holds that on moonless nights, Bhagavan Bodgeshwar can sometimes be seen roaming the fields near the temple, carrying a torch. Devotees place immense faith in him, convinced that their prayers will be answered. For this reason, thousands flock to the temple, regarding him as angavani—the fulfiller of wishes made through sincere vows.

He is also worshipped as the rakhno, the protector of those who are lost. One well-known legend tells of a young boy who became separated from his father while attending the fair. Knowing the way home, the child began walking back and was accompanied by a man who claimed to be his “uncle.” When the boy safely reached his home in Porvorim, the stranger vanished. It was later discovered that the uncle had never attended the fair, leading people to believe that the mysterious companion was Lord Bodgeshwar himself.

Another belief holds that the deity walks through Mapusa at midnight along a fixed path. Those who claim to have witnessed this would leave offerings such as coconuts or beedis for him. By morning, the offerings would mysteriously disappear, reinforcing faith in his divine presence.

Bodgeshwar Jatra Festival is observed from Paush Shukla Paksha Trayodashi tithi to Purnima tithi or the thirteenth day to full moon day in Paush month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Goa.