Dhalo festival of Goa observed in Paush month (December –
January) is dedicated to Mother Nature. The annual festival begins on the shukla
paksha ekadashi day (eleventh day during the waxing phase of moon) and ends on
the purnima or full moon day. Dhalo Festival 2025 date is from January 10 to
January 13.
The festival is dedicated to Vandevi or the forest goddess.
The final day festival is also known as Malani Purnima. The festival coincides
with the end of vaigan or rabi cultivation season.
The festival has its origin to people who lived in and around
forests. They depended for their livelihood. The festival is essentially a sort
of thanksgiving to the all providing Mother Nature.
The festival is popular in Bicholim Taluka and Pernem Taluka
and there are several temples of Goddess here like the famous Dhakti Vandevi Prasanna
and Vhodli Vandevi.
As part of the festival, women decorate the tulsi plant with
pedestal. The tulsi vrindavan symbolically represents the forest goddess –
Vandevi.
Women offer prayers for peace and prosperity in their
families. Women sing folk songs and perform folk dances for days especially in
the evening and night.
There is no discrimination in the festival. Women of all
ages, single, married and widowed take part in the festival.
The pujas are performed near forests, groves or near big
tree with large canopies. It is believed that the huge trees are abode of
Rashtroli, a local deity. The most preferred tree is the banyan tree. In some
regions it is believed that Gangaldev, a local deity, resides in the banyan
tree.