3 little kings from Cansaulim, Arossim and Cuelim.
However, in the end, when all 3 kings go their different ways home at Cansaulim Church, one went to his home at Velsao.
The three kings go up on the hillock in three different traditional pathways 'Paz' but at the end of the feast mass, they descend via one common way (separate 'paz') see pic.
Once at the foot of the hill, they make their traditional halts or stations where the people get a chance to crown themselves etc.
There are about 8-9 such stations, last one being at the Cansaulim Church (with all 3 king together).
From here all kings go different way to their respective homes. The king of Arossim may reach home around 3pm
They all leave their homes around 8 am I suppose, to make it on time at the hillock for 10 o'clock feast mass. Leave there at around 12pm (after mass) and the journey back home takes upto 3 hours
Some pics
At Goemkar’s house (infornt of TB Cunha ancestor’s house, Cuelim)
Albert Cunha and his house, Cuelim
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk47/6646924809/in/photostream/
Crowning
Next to Dr. Marconi house
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk47/6646929815/in/photostream/Cansaulim Church Square
3 kings in line
Traditional flagging / waving (bonderam)
One Rei or King from Velsao
(daughter of Cuelim, married to Velsao)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk47/6646949025/in/photostream/
Traditional 'Paz' for descending
(There are 3 other for climbing)
Chapel view from another angle
Journey through fields etc
about the video..
Video: 3 Kings Feast - Kings journey through field etc
Once the kings leave the chapel (after feast mass) say around 12 noon, takes them upto another 3 hours to reach home.This is because the king and their entourage follow the traditional trail or way which is through fields etc.Besides, there are about 9 traditional stations or halts where people gather to be crowned (see video / Pic).
About 3 such halts around the foothill followed by Xendo (fields), then in front of T. B Cunha ancestors’ house
(There are 3 large houses in one row) locals traditionally call them ‘Goemkars’
Traditionally, Pez or Kanji was served here.
The next station would be at Albert Cunha House, Cuelim.
I saw Shri Albert Cunha (11.12-12.40) after long time, last several years, he usually stayed indoors.Traditionally, Pez or Kanji was served here.
The next station would be at Albert Cunha House, Cuelim.
He was very popular at Churches, including Pilar with his white suit safari. Very good friend of mine. He was also active member of MGP (Lion) I think.
Immediately, next halt would be between former Regidor and Dr. Marconi House
followed by Barca where the kings come down and take a brief restLast time we see 3 kings together is at the Church square, here all 3 lined up facing the Church, Laudate is sung and the 3 large flags (bonderam) are waved from right to left see video (19.44)
From here the kings will go different ways, usually one goes backward (Cuelim) and
the other two takes different route at Cansaulim market. This year, we saw one going to Velsao taking the route from behind the Cemetery.(22.25)
Another intesting thing I have noted is the band which is usually a two man band. I think we called it ‘Chermel’ or ‘Chermelam’ see 15.18.
A man would play a drum (Dhol) and play ‘cornet’ same time. Another fellow played ‘rengtteng’. Chermelam (?) was playing at 5am at the chapel, along with ‘fozne’ which served a sort of a wake up call to the nearby villagers
who regularly attended the novena mass. People left their homes around 5.30am so as to arrive up there in time for mass at 6.
Chermelam playing could be heard all over Velsao and Cansaulim.
Brass band:
Each king will have his own band throughout the journey and they would play in turns.
One of the 3 bands, was the above 'Chermelam'.
All cute little kings can be seen more closely at 20.25
King's crown.
It was the most expensive item of the occasion which was also kept as a souvenir.
I remember, such crown costing Rs.300 in late 70's
All other kings dresses, colourful umbrellas, bonderam etc I guess it is a church property.
It was the most expensive item of the occasion which was also kept as a souvenir.
I remember, such crown costing Rs.300 in late 70's
All other kings dresses, colourful umbrellas, bonderam etc I guess it is a church property.
Hiring of Horses from neigbouring districts such as from Belgaum was the next expesive thing.
Traditonally, buffaloes were used instead of horses, we were told.
Another Video (Hillock, chapel tour etc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8NzAYo_480
Following age old legends also associated with the chapel/feast, I am sure some or all of it you may be aware of.
1. That there was a King from Velsao too (presently only from the villages of Cansaulim) and those days kings were riding not on a horse back but on the he-buffalos (Redde, I think Chandor used to do it till 70/80s). One year, on the feast day, the thirsty buffalo while descending from the hill, straight went to the pond/lake popularly known as Pali-Tollem (See Pic) along with the king and the poor king got drowned. Since then there is no King for Velsao. And the redo belongs to Mr. Bozo or Gozo,
see pali-Tollem here
2. That the O/L of Remedious see pic
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk8/352906994/is one of the 7 Hindu sisters (some of them being Mamai Saibinn, Milagres of Mapusa & Cuchelim etc) and for these reason sizable number of Hindus join in on the feast day.
3. That on the night of the Feast i.e. Jan 6.. No one stays at the chapel/hill.
It seems there is a long procession with fire torches after midnight and who ever stays up there get sucked into to aerial procession. Where as some say who ever stays there turns into a rock.
As a matter of fact, I do know that the above No. 3 is not true. As then parish priest Fr. Alban Fernandes stayed there on the night of the feast along with my friend and two others. Nothing happened to them and they were back home safe next day . This was in 1980s.
4. That there exist a tunnel below the chapel and that a priest went through it along with a dog and that dog returns and the priest didn’t . However, same story associated with every other tunnels near the churches e.g. Siridao, Raitura, etc etc
Remeth sokol Zor/ Spring
Once it was very popular, look at it's state now.There are houses now in the close proximity.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk8/472811641/
Kings on the feast day
a view from the chapel - Konkan Railways, fields etc
The Chapel
Cansaulim Church
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk15/3069671665/ on 3 kings feast day
videos 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrhdcQRkHX0Visit litany
in.youtube.com/watch?v=_xzGPFP1_1Q
Another video with 3 kings/feast Jan. 6 2007
in.youtube.com/watch?v=8puVKN_1iYY
Another video with 3 kings/feast Jan. 6 2007
in.youtube.com/watch?v=8puVKN_1iYY
The road to the Three Kings church was built by my ancestors and is the uncle of Card. Ivan Dias from velsao. There was a board put up - Pe. Arduino Dias Road but the hindu fundamentalists broke that board. I am trying to get that restored.
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