Archive · 19 May 2025
Gadyaanchi Jatra Celebrates Ancient Tradition in Poinguinim
Every three years in May, the village of Poinguinim, India, celebrates the Gadyaanchi Jatra, a festival honoring the deity Lord Betal.
Villagers believe Betal conquered several areas in the 13th century, including Poinguinim.
During the jatra, large wooden structures are erected, and men called Gade are pierced with hooks and hoisted.
They are then rotated on a structure.
The Gade, along with other devotees, sing and dance with their swords.
The temple is closed for a week after the festival, and a buffalo is sacrificed.
This ancient tradition, once involving human sacrifice, now has specific rituals.
The Gadyaanchi Jatra is held every three years in Poinguinim, India, to honor Lord Betal.
The festival includes rituals and processions, with large wooden structures erected for the event.
Men called Gade are pierced with hooks and rotated on a structure during the ceremony.
A buffalo is sacrificed at the temple during the jatra.
The temple is closed for a week after the jatra for all devotees except their chief.
- Who
- Devotees of Lord Betal and the Gade.
- What
- The Gadyaanchi Jatra, a religious festival.
- When
- Every three years in May.
- Where
- Mahalwada, Poinguinim, India.
- Why
- To celebrate Lord Betal, a deity of Poinguinim.
- Frequency
- Every three years
- Month of Celebration
- May
- Deity
- Lord Betal
- Location
- Poinguinim, India
- Participants
- Gade
- Origin of belief
- 13th century