The one-day Ghode Modni festival was held in Gavkarwada, Mulgaon-Bicholim. Celebrated every alternate year, it featured the Ghode Modni, or the ‘horse dance’, a traditional performance by four horsemen that pays tribute to the Maratha rulers’ victories over the Portuguese. The four horsemen who hail from the families of Gad, Raut, Parab, and Chari, are all from the same village. Dressed as warriors, the performers carried wooden horses and moved in sync with the rhythmic beats of drums. Adding a spooky twist to the festivities, masked participants drew attention with their striking costumes.
Echoes of valour
