The Village of Siridaò Village and its History
Siridaò is a small hamlet surrounded by Curca and Bambolim village separated by a branch of the Zuari river. A major portion of the Catholic community living here, are fisher folks and toddy tappers. The village had a main Church built in 1603, dedicated to Santa Maria Magdalena, which collapsed in 1869 and then Parish was shifted to Goa Velha Church.
In 1877 at the same place, Chapel dedicated to Holy Souls (Santa Almas) and Our Lady Of Rosary was built and it was elevated to church in 1906. This church had developed cracks after which it was demolished to build the present Church of Our Lady Of Rosary in 1973.
Chapel of Jesus Nazareth -2nd chapel was built on the hillock of Nazareth waddo, Siridaò in the memory of departed souls,who passed away due to Cholera epidemic in Siridaò. This is the chapel where “Pejechem Fest” takes place.
When the main church of Siridaó ‘Our Lady Of Rosary collapsed, 2 statues were transferred to the Jesus Nazareth Chapel.
“PEJECHEM FEST” – SIRIDAO
Chapel of Jesus Nazareth, Siridaò takes precedence over church feasts in Goa and is attended by people from different talukas of Goa and even beyond the state. Pejechem fest is always celebrated on the 1st sunday after Easter. Pilgrims come to make vows or after fulfillment of vows locally known as ‘angvonn’, to pray to Jesus Nazareth and have blessed ‘kanji’ or ‘pez’,which seems to have a medicinal effect of healing.
Previously households from Siridaò provided stay for pilgrims coming from far away, walking or by boat, singing songs and playing “Ghumott” (a traditional instrument of Goa) which they used to dock behind the chapel and climb up the hill. Even now a few allow pilgrims to stay in their houses and no person is refused for a meal in the village houses on this feast day.
It is actually the feast of “Our Lady Of Annunciation” which refers to the announcement by Angel Gabriel to Virgin Mary that she would conceive and will be the mother of Jesus, Son of God, but it is commonly known as feast of Jezu -Nazareth or Pejechem Fest and people tend to venerate the suffering statue of Christ.
No sooner the feast mass is ended in the morning the main celebrant of the mass takes the statue of Our Lady of Annunciations for a holy procession around the village.
Here comes the very interesting fact, where it is observed that a queue below the chapel is formed to have “pez” which is served free and one can have as much as one wants. People have to only buy earthen containers called ‘malti’ and pickle is also served as an appetizer.
The ‘Pez’ of boiled rice (ukkde tandul) is cooked under a “mollancho mattav” in 7 gigantic copper vessels(moddkeo) and served by the Dempo family. It is said that 7 vessels related to the story of 7 sisters in sanskrit and rule says only married womens can cook this kanji.
‘Pez’ is served at the ‘Xim’ before serving people, as a custom signifying the serving for the dead souls. Previously ‘pez’ was also served at other places at Sirdaò like Ogdaie but now it is only served below chapel.
WHY DEMPO SERVE ‘PEZ’ ON FEAST ?
‘Pez’ is served by Dempo – (Landlord of entire Siridaò village) to pay for ‘pensav’!
The ‘Pensanvachem bhatt’ which means property bequeathed to Dempo on an assurance that he will offer masses for the soul of the donor,who donated the land. It is considered that if Dempo does not serve kanji,some thing bad happens to his family. After Goa liberation, Dempo had stopped this tradition but restarted as discontinuation did not bring good result, as it is said failure to honour this promise leads to spirits of dead protesting against it. As a proof it is also written on the church book by Siridao Vicar Fr. Joao Francisco Xavier Maciel on 5th October 1986 that “Landlord gives the kanji to pay for Pensao”.
Feast Vendors
Fan vendors – Fan made out of tree roots (rare handicraft) which helps to keep insects away is available on this day
Candel sellers – various types of candles and Specially wax body part sold, to offer to Jesus Nazareth for healing.
Sweets – famous ‘khajee’ is popular sweet on all our feast in Goa .
‘Choris pao’ – Goan sousage breads are also sold here on this feast day
WHY SIRIDAO CHAPEL IS KNOWN AS JESUS NAZARETH ??
The dome shaped chapel,circular platform of the floor behind the alter and few other features resembles the set up of ‘JEWS’ in Goa after it was researched by historians. There are also caves underneath the chapel which dates back to 6 / 7th century but its difficult to enter in those caves now. There are two ways found may be one will be the exit which comes out 100m away,at the jackfruit tree on NH from the Chapel.
Hundreds of Jews living in Old Goa during the rule of Yusuf Adil Shah (1498-1510) believed to have contribution in building former capital.
The architecture of JEWS left behind word ‘Nazareth’, city in Israel so thats how the chapel of Our Lady Of Annunciation / Jesus Nazareth got the name and so as the Nazareth waddo. But only tomb and other features Jewish presence and architecture and not the chapel of Nazareth built.
Feast of Our Lady Of Annunciation / Jesus Nazareth / Pejechem Fest is the only chapel and village in Goa having history behind Jews of Jerusalem. As chapel is located on the hill, it reminds about the childhood spend in Nazareth and Galilee and also the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Israel. We should maintain this one and only Jewish architecture,caves and our Goan tradition of Pejechem Fest for the future generations.
Images Source: Mr. Sanjeev Sardesai
