SAL GADE

   The village of Sal which is located in Bicholim is very famous for "Gade Festival".It is a 3 night festival.This festival is a tribute to Ghost and Holy spirit.It is also known as hide and seek game between Gade and Devchar.
       Gade are the residents of village,who wear white Dhoti and black belt around their waist.It is believed tha spirit of God enters in the body of Gade when they start dancing around the Holy accompanied by traditional music.

This is the Sal temple where the Gade festival is taking place.

Devchar is the Devil which is set free during these days and also after this festival.At first Gade brings idols from the jungle and are placed near the holi.By the time Gade returns with the idol.Some of them are already hidden by Devchar.This in this way game of hide and seek between Gade and Devchar starts.

After reaching specific place Devchar gives back hidden Gade,mesmorising on looking with flame movement.

The flame is clear to one and all,is sometimes sit on top of tree,then on the ground and the biggest roar of people of normally reserved to the time when Devchar suddenly appears to show two flames,known as Chudti.

When flame disappears,a lifeless Gado appears sometimes Devchar hides Gade for 3days and the hidden Fade remains there without food and water.Other Gade bring him back and drag him around hole,after which he comes into senses and he cannot come before dawn there he is considered as dead.It is said that the music of Dholak should not stop for the entire night and if it happens,then there is possibility of all Gade being lost in jungle.

On last night beside witnessing light shown by Devchar we also get a chance to hear the sound of ghost from the nearby cemetery on last night Gade goes to cemetery to bring bones or wood.It is said that ghost gives the bones to them.If the ghost deny to give them the bones,Gade beat them up.

Many people hide themselves near the cemetery to listen to the cries of the ghost.Later Gade takes the ghost and dump into near by well.They aslo take back the idols and keep them in their original places.
         At the end Gade lay asleep near the holi and when people around blow air into their ears.They come back to their senses. It is said that after the festival,people from Sal do not have to fear of ghosts throughout the year as they are tide up by Gade.