Masked figures, scaring children and adults alike, roamed the narrow lanes of Divar Island as the three-day Potekar Festival ended on Tuesday with drums, laughter and playful chaos. Rooted in old Catholic preLenten traditions, masked Potekars — from the Konkani word poti , meaning sack — warn children of being taken away in a sack, while keeping the centuries-old ritual alive.One masked participant, keeping his identity hidden, shared, “The masks give us the freedom to playfully scare everyone. It’s a way of keeping our old traditions alive, and every year the excitement grows as both children and adults join the fun.”Tourist Shalini Patil from Pune said, “It was thrilling to see the Potekars in action! The masks, the music and the energy of the villagers made it an unforgettable experience.”
