------------------------------------------------------------------------ TRI Continental Film Festival - Dona Paula, Goa, Sep 28 - Oct 2, 2007
http://www.moviesgoa.org/tricontinental/tricon.htm For public viewing. Registration at The International Centre Goa. (Ph: +91-832-2452805 to 10) Online Media Partner: http://www.GOANET.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Relics in need of rescuing Rohit Phalgaonkar Goa is a state with a long and rich span of history, proof of which are the existence of historical documents of the 4th-7th century AD of the Bhoj dynasty ruling Goa. Yes, Goa is a true treasure trove having assimilated the cultures of all dynasties and rulers in its soil. Very few Goans are aware of the fact that the Jain community also settled in Goa during ancient times. The 12th century Kadamb kings were patrons of Jainism. There were Jain settlements in Kudne and Narve in the Bicholim taluka. A Jain Basti (Settlement) is also found at Bandoda in Ponda. This monument is declared as a "Protected Site" by the Department of Archives and Archaeology, Goa and is situated near the Palace of Raja Soundekar. The Jain Basti lies in total ruins despite it being notified as a 'Protected Site'. Covered with a thick green canopy of trees and bushes, the Jain Basti edifice stands majestically. The building has beautiful arches of laterite stone supported by rectangular stone monoliths (columns). The external walls are constructed of huge and thick laterite stones. The windows and openings in the walls have stone grills and perforations (jaali) and there are many niches on the internal walls decorated by beautiful arches. The building used to have a flat roof which now, unfortunately, has collapsed one side and leaking on the other. The construction of the roof is very unique and is not seen much in old structures. Thick stone slabs are laid above the columns next to each other. The structure appears to have housed a temple, teaching halls and residences for the monks. It also seems to have an open courtyard in the centre. Today, only one hall and a small room next to it survive. In a well nearby, images of Jain Tirthankars were found by the Department of Archives and Archaeology, Goa. The well is now buried with debris. The roots of huge peepal and banyan trees growing on these walls have cracked the walls and could also lead to their collapse in the near future. A stone inscriptions dating to 1432 AD and 1433 AD speaks about Virugappa and Shripaal of the Vijaynagar dynasty having built the Neminath Jain Basti of Baandoda. It also records Haryarsuri, the pupil of Sinhaanand Achaary, who died in 1423AD. The inscription registers the grant of Vaghurme village made to the Neminath Basti of Bandoda. This was the period when the Vijaynagar king Devraai II ruled Goa. However, this 15th century monument requires urgent attention today. The Department of Archives and Archaeology should try to save this structure from deteriorating or else Goa will loose another heritage structure. Goa Plus Sep 21, 2007
