Devotee secures sacred coconut for Rs 10 lakh at auction in Pernem temple

Mapusa: Rs 10 lakh for a coconut! Yes! You read it right. Perhaps making it one of the highest such auction bid in the state, the sacred coconut offering to Shree Dev Raghugonshet at Korgao, Pernem, fetched Rs 10 lakh at an auction conducted during the temple’s anniversary celebrations on Friday.
Every year, the anniversary or Shree Dev Raghugonshet at Pethechawada in Korgao is held on Vikata Sankashti Chaturthi in April by the Shetye families and the villagers. People from across Pernem and beyond participate in the celebrations which last five days.
Of late, the main attraction of the festivities is the auction of the sacred coconut offered at the Satyanarayan mahapuja of Shree Dev Raghugonshet. Sources said that mostly the auction is won by a member of the Shetye clan. This year the auction bid winning prize was to the extent of Rs 10 lakh by the local devotee.
Sources said that the sacred coconut is later worshipped at the house of the winning bidder. Last year the auction price was Rs 11 lakh, sources said.
"People have very high faith and belief in this God. When in distress you just invoke his name and the help will pour in from all directions and that's the faith and belief that makes his devasthan worshipped by many devotees," a temple committee member told TOI.
During the festivities, people offer fruits like banana bunches, watermelons and pineapples, besides other items which are later auctioned by the temple committee in an open auction. Funds raised are utilised for the temple activities and its upkeep and other community welfare programmes, the committee members informed.
The auction typically takes place in the evening, with devotees bidding for the offerings .Enthusiastic bidders from across the region participate in the auction.