Goa is known for its pristine beaches, vibrant nightlife, and unique cultural heritage. However, hidden in the heart of its traditional customs lies a ritual so rare and spine-chilling that it sends shivers down the spines of those who witness it. Shisharanni, an ancient ritual that takes place every third year at the time of the Shigmo festival, is one of the most intriguing and mysterious traditions performed at the Shri Mallikarjun Temple in Avem-Khotigao, Canacona. A blend of faith, sacrifice, and deep-rooted beliefs, this ritual is unlike any other.
The Ritual: A Test of Devotion
Shisharanni derives its name from two words—‘shisha,’ a type of tree, and ‘ranni,’ meaning a traditional cooking place. The ritual is deeply connected to three ‘gades,’ individuals who are believed to be filled with the spirit of God for a short period. These gades play a significant role in the ceremony and are the ones who undergo a supernatural test of endurance and faith.
As part of the ritual, they cover the heads of the three gades with a wet cloth and layers of plantain trunk. They then lie on the ground, forming the base of a traditional cooking place. They place an earthen pot upon their heads and burn branches of the shisha tree underneath it, creating a fire that cooks the rice. The most remarkable aspect of this ritual is that despite being so close to the flames, the gades remain unaffected. Locals believe that this is because they are under divine protection.
The Ultimate Sacrifice: Blood in the Offering
Once they cook the rice, the ritual takes an even more intense turn. A fourth gado involved in the ceremony undergoes a sacrificial cut on the crown of his head with a sword. The priests add the blood drawn from the wound to the cooked rice, symbolizing an offering to the deity. People believe this act signifies ultimate devotion and sacrifice.
The Final Act: Rice and Ritualistic Beliefs
The priests throw the blood-infused rice at the gathered devotees, but instead of catching it as a blessing, they move away. Since sacrificial blood taints the rice, people believe it brings bad luck to anyone it touches. This act creates a striking scene as chaotic yet reverential energy erupts in the temple premises, with people avoiding the rice as it flies through the air.
A Rare Occurrence in Goa’s Sacred Spaces
Shisharanni is not an annual event.The priests perform the ritual once every three years at three different Shri Mallikarjun Temples located across Canacona—Shristhal, Canacona (main temple), and Gaodongrim village. Due to its rare occurrence, devotees and believers from different parts of Goa, as well as from Karwar and other nearby regions, flock to witness this extraordinary display of faith.
Faith, Mystery, and a Deep-Rooted Tradition
Shisharanni is a ritual that defies logic yet stands firm on the foundation of faith. It is a testament to Goa’s rich cultural and religious diversity, where age-old traditions continue to thrive amidst modernity. Whether one sees it as a divine miracle or an extreme test of devotion, there’s no denying that Shisharanni remains one of the most mysterious and spine-tingling traditions in Goa’s cultural landscape.
