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Pejechem Fest – The day when kanji is served to devotees

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Siridao may be a small suburb surrounded by Curca and Bambolim villages separated by the River Zuari, but it plays host to the pejechem fest or the Feast of our Lady of Annunciation (Siridao Fest).

Siridao may be a small suburb surrounded by Curca and Bambolim villages separated by the River Zuari, but it plays host to the pejechem fest.

People also visit this place to spend a while on the closest beach, which is additionally the simplest picnic spot. Most of the Catholic community that lives here are either Toddy Tappers and Fisherfolks

The village has the most church of Santa Maria Magdalena, which was inbuilt in 1603. Which later collapsed in 1869. Two statues from this church were then transferred to the chapel.

In 1877, Chapel dedicated to Holy Souls (Santa Almas) and Our Lady Of Rosary was built at an equivalent place and it had been dignified to the church in 1906. This church had developed cracks thanks to the Koyna Earthquake in 1967 after which it had been demolished to create this Church of Our Lady Of Rosary in 1973.

The second chapel is Chapel of Jesus Nazareth, which was built on the hillock of Nazareth-waddo, Siridao within the memory of departed souls, who were perished thanks to the Cholera epidemic in Siridao in 1790 and 1810. Pejechem Fest takes place at this chapel.

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Image Credit – Goaroots

Pejechem Fest is attended by tons of individuals from different parts of Goa. Pejechem fest is usually celebrated on the primary Sunday after Easter. Pilgrims from everywhere Goa come to this feast to make vows also called ‘Angvon’ or after fulfilment of vows like, “Saiba maka borem kor. Hanv tujea paiam kodde ieon pez jevtam.” (People make vows. Lord, please cure me. I will come to your feet and eat kanji or Pez).

Before households from village Siridao wont to provide accommodation for pilgrims coming from distant for the feast. They want to come by walking or sailing in canoes and catamarans from places like Sanvordem and Sanguem.

Some want to come by singing and playing Ghumott. People coming via Canoes want to wharf behind the chapel and climb up Capitol Hill. Even now a couple of allow pilgrims to remain in their houses. Every house during this village is prepared to serve a meal to the guests and nobody is refused for a meal within the village houses on this fete day.

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Image Credit – HeraldGoa

Traditionally the Pez is cooked in seven big pots (Moddkeo) and it should be always cooked by a wife and not widow. The Pez/Kanji is cooked under the palm enclosure (matov) then served to the people with traditional Goan bowls locally called as Kholeachem Aidon. There is no limit to possess Pez, you’ll have the maximum amount as you’ll.