EXTRAORDINARY

GOVERNMENT OF GOA

Department of Revenue

Office of the Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Officer, Bicholim Sub-Division, Bicholim

Order

(Issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023)

Whereas, the Kalash Utsav and connected Jatrotsav festivities of Shri Maya Kelbai Devasthan, Mayem,

Bicholim are scheduled to commence on 21-02-2026, and the said festival attracts a large congregation of

devotees and stakeholders;

And whereas, the Mamlatdar & Administrator of Devalayas, Bicholim Taluka vide letter No.

MAM/BICH/Devasthan/2026-27/803 dated 20-02-2026 has submitted that a continuing dispute persists

among stakeholder groups, including but not limited to the Parab Gaonkars/Porobo Gaocar group, Naik

Gaonkar group, Karbotkar group, Gawas and Gosavi groups, and the Managing Committee of Shri Maya

Kelbai Devasthan, particularly in relation to control of rituals, sequencing of ceremonies, access to temple

premises and performance of Kalash festivities;

And whereas, the Police Inspector, Bicholim Police Station vide letter No. PI/BICH/1759/2026 dated

20-02-2026 has reported that during the festival period in the year 2023, multiple FIRs were registered in

connection with disputes arising at the temple premises, involving offences of unlawful assembly, rioting,

wrongful restraint, mischief, criminal intimidation, causing hurt and breach of public peace and acts

prejudicial to the safety and protection of children, thereby demonstrating a recurring pattern of

confrontation and disturbance during the conduct of the festival;

And whereas, meetings convened on 09-02-2026, 17-02-2026 and again on 20-02-2026 for arriving at

an amicable settlement among the stakeholders failed to result in any consensus and the apprehension of

confrontation on the festival day has been specifically reported by the Administrator;

And whereas, adequate opportunity for amicable resolution of the dispute was afforded to all

stakeholder groups and their representatives continuously up to the penultimate hour preceding the time

fixed for commencement of the Kalash Utsav at 4:00 p.m. on 21-02-2026, yet no consensus or mutually

acceptable arrangement could be arrived at;

No. DCB/BICH/Kelbai-Devasthan/2026/666

Date : 21-Feb-2026

Suggestions are welcomed on e-mail: [email protected]

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Reg. No. RNP/GOA/32/2024-2026

RNI No. GOAENG/2002/6410

Panaji, 21st February, 2026 (Phalguna 2, 1947)

SERIES III No. 47

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

And whereas, the dispute has historical roots, prior administrative interventions were necessitated in

March, 2019, when directions for status quo were issued due to apprehended law and order issues, and

again in April, 2023, when a show cause notice and subsequent regulatory directions were issued in

connection with disputes regarding closure of temple access and festival management;

And whereas, the unresolved dispute among rival groups and the past history of offences involving

rioting and breach of peace, creates a credible, proximate and immediate likelihood of disturbance of public

order, obstruction to devotees, confrontation between groups and potential violence at and around the

temple premises and along the procession routes;

And whereas, it is necessary to take immediate preventive and regulatory measures to ensure peaceful

conduct of the festival, protect public safety and prevent any breach of peace;

And whereas, in view of the urgency of the situation and the imminence of the festival, it is not

practicable to serve individual notices in advance and the circumstances warrant immediate preventive

action;

Now, therefore, I, Shubham Naik, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Bicholim, in exercise of powers

conferred under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and being satisfied that such

directions are necessary for prevention of disturbance of public order and breach of peace, hereby issue the

following order:

1.

The Managing Committee and members of the Parab Gaonkars (Porobo Gaocar) group and any persons

acting on their behalf, shall suspend all activities pertaining to the conduct, organisation, management

or assertion of control over the Kalash Utsav rituals, including any attempt to enforce exclusive rights,

until further orders of this office.

2.

All other stakeholder groups, including the Naik Gaonkar group, Karbotkar group, Gawas and Gosavi

groups or any persons acting on their behalf, shall likewise refrain from asserting any rights, claims,

control or ceremonial precedence in relation to the Kalash Utsav rituals during the subsistence of this

order.

3.

No gathering of four (4) or more persons shall be permitted within a radius of 100 metres around Shri

Maya Kelbai Temple, Mayem; Shri Mahamaya Temple, Gaonkarwada; and Shri Sateri Temple,

Kumbharwada except:

bona fide devotees entering in an orderly manner for darshan,

police and magistracy officials deployed for law and order duty, and`

authorised temple functionaries performing routine religious functions strictly under supervision of

the administration.

4.

The Police Inspector, Bicholim Police Station shall ensure strict enforcement of this order, including

regulation of entry, dispersal of unlawful gatherings, identification of likely trouble-makers and

initiation of preventive proceedings as may be required under law.

5.

The Police shall also ensure adequate deployment at the temple premises, access routes and

surrounding area to prevent obstruction, confrontation or disturbance of public order.

6.

Any person found contravening this order shall be liable for action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya

Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and other applicable provisions of law.

This order shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain in operation till 28th February,

2026 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Given under my hand and seal on this 21st day of February, 2026.

Shubham Naik, Sub-Divisional Magistrate.

Bicholim.

4582

OFFICIAL GAZETTE — GOVT. OF GOA

SERIES III No. 47

(EXTRAORDINARY)

21ST FEBRUARY, 2026

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