Arpita Srivastava
Mapusa
Raneache Juvem (island) in Nadora comes alive during Ganesh Chaturthi as
30 families preserve a generations-old tradition of opening their homes to visitors and creating ‘dekhavas’ depicting different social, cultural and mythological themes.
Located along the Chapora River, the small island is home to around 150 people. During the five-day festival, almost every household opens its doors, inviting visitors to walk in and experience its dekhava.
For the islanders, the celebrations are not merely about decoration. They are about families coming together and keeping alive traditions handed down by their ancestors.
Preparations begin more than a month in advance. Children, youngsters and elders contribute ideas and work together to create the displays using different materials, lights and sound effects. By the time the festival arrives, every home has something different to offer.
“We have been coming every year to enjoy the ‘dekhavas’. Each house has a different theme and the light and sound effects make them very attractive,” said a visitor.
Another visitor said the mythological themes displayed by the residents made the experience special and praised the families for preserving the tradition.
For Adv Mahesh Rane and his family, the celebration carries an even deeper connection with the past. Raneache Juvem is home to the Rane clan and is associated with the family of freedom fighter Raoji Rane, who fought against the
Portuguese and was killed at Camurlim.
“Our ancestral traditions have been preserved in every house on the island,” said Rane.
He said their family’s Ganesh idol has also been part of a generations-old tradition. The idol is moulded at their house by the Shrikrishna Dhumal family from Dhargal, with the present generation being the sixth to continue the practice.
The island celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi for five days. On the final day, the idols are taken together in a chariot for immersion, bringing the island’s colourful celebrations to a close before the families begin waiting for another Ganesh Chaturthi.
