The bullocks (and horses) are specially adorned with garlands, floral tassels hanging from their necks, and peacock feathers attached to their horns. Embroidered body covers are placed on their backs.
Our Lady of Bethlehem was originally built by Franciscan missionaries in the 17th century CE and dedicated to Mother Mary. Its neo-Baroque façade is influenced by Portuguese-era Catholic churches in Goa. Over the years, the church has undergone several renovations and expansions to accommodate the growing congregation.
On this special day, East Indian women wear their traditional attire, a nine-yard sari worn in the Maharashtrian kashta style, known as the Sonkari Lugra. The Lugra is distinctive for its pink or red colour and intricate embroidery along its border.
Residents of Worli Koliwada draw rangoli on the procession route. Making rangoli is a communal activity that fosters a sense of togetherness and shared celebration among the participants.
The procession starts from the temple around five in the evening, takes a round of Worli Koliwada, and returns to the temple around three in the morning. Koli children dress up for the occasion and join the procession.
A Koli lady carrying a container of holy water moves ahead of the procession and sprinkles water on the path using a genda phool (marigold flower). This practice symbolizes the purification, sanctification, and blessing of the path to ensure the smooth and auspicious progress of the procession.
Priests at the temple perform the abhishekam ritual, which involves the ceremonial bathing of the mukhalingam with sacred items, each poured while chanting specific mantras. These items include water, milk, yogurt, honey, clarified butter, coconut water, and sandalwood paste.
Koli men lift the palanquin onto their shoulders and carry it outside the temple premises. Devotees feel a closer connection to the deity when they participate in carrying the palanquin, as it symbolizes the deity's presence among them.