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* G * O * A * N * E * T **** C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S *
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GARCA BRANCA
VACATION ACCOMMODATION
LOUTULIM, SOUTH GOA.
For R&R; modern/clean amenities; serene, healthy and wholesome location
Visit http://www.garcabranca.com for details/booking/confirmation.
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Goa - blessed by the Gods
Rohit R. Phalgaonkar
Goa's scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage attracts many tourists, yet
many visitors are unaware of some hinterlands and verdant pockets of Goa.
Each taluka of Goa is unique and has its own distinct character.
The Sahyadhri Khand mentions that Goa was created when Shri Parshuram shot
an arrow in the Arabian Sea and ordered it to recede.
Along with him he brought many Rishis (sages), out of which, seven meditated
near the confluence of five rivers for seven crores years. Pleased with the
Rishis, Shri Mahadev appeared on Earth and granted them a boon. The Rishis
requested him to stay on this Earth so that even the other people could
worship him. The boon was granted and since then, Shri Mahadev resided in
Goa by the name of Shri Saptkoteshwar.
The Bhojs, the Chalukys, the Shilahars, the Kadambs, the Vijaynagars ruled
over this "Punnya Bhumi". The dynastic rule in Goa can be traced from the
4th century AD upto the 16th century. Each dynasty's worship of a distinct
deity, new cultural forms and food habits were easily assimilated in Goa's
soil and remained for years to come.
A beautiful temple of Shri Saptkoteshwar in Narve in the taluka of Bicholim
is a testimony to many historic events of Goa's past.
The Kadamb dynasty's rule is considered to be the "Suvarn Kaal" or "Golden
Period" of Goa. They worshipped the Shri Saptkoteshwar and the Kadamb king
Jaikeshi Dev I, in the 11th century, even had the name of this deity
inscribed on the coins during his rule.
A beautiful temple of Shri Saptkoteshwar of the Kadamb period existed on the
island of "Dipwati", today's Diwar. The invasions of the Turks (probably the
Bahamanis or Tughlaqs) ruined this temple. The legend in Narve mentions that
the temple was reconstructed in Diwar by Madhav Mantri of the Vijaynagar
dynasty. This legend is asserted on copper plates of Madhav Mantri dated
1391AD found outside Goa. The temple ruins in Diwar today speak volumes
about its past. A water tank with carved niches on its walls is all that has
remained of that glorious structure.
During the Inquisition period, the "Ling" was kept on a barbican of a well.
The marks of the copper vessel can be still seen on it. It was rescued by
Narayan Surya Rao Sardesai and was kept in a laterite cave in Narve in
Bicholim taluka.
An attempt was made by the great Chatrapati Shivaji from Maharashtra, to
free Goa from foreign yoke in 1664 AD. He ordered a new temple to be built
in 1668 and established a contribution of 600 Honns (a type of currency).
This inscription still exists on the wall of the Mukhmandap of the temple
today.
Goa Plus
January 4, 2008
