It was a cold windy morning, as this writer boarded the Karnataka State
Transport bus at 0650 hrs from Margao heading for Kodibag in Karwar the
Southern end of the Bridge over the Kali river in the State of Karnataka. At
0840 hrs we descended down the bridge end and joined the devotees men women and
children a majority from the fishing community who reside along the coast of
Karwar The ocassion was the "zatra" of Lord Narasimha at the Kurumgad island.
There are three in all Devbagh where there is a light house Madlingad which is
the Anjediva Island and Kurumgad. These islands are accessible by fishing
boats from the Karwar end Baithkol Harbour or Kodibag and even from Galgibag in
Canacona taluka.
A big entourage of police personnel men and women were all at the outpost just
near the landing point for our seaward journey. Having got into the boats there
were over 60 persons and a lot of vendors carrying their wares to the
Kurrumgaad island. The fare oneway for a 20 minute trip was Rs.30 per head. The
journey began with chants of "Narasimha ki Jai". At midstream two coconuts were
broken apparently to ensure safety during the onward journey. Once near the
island we had to wade into knee deep water duly assisted by those manning the
fishing boats. The up to a steep climb of around 64 steps before one gets a
view of the small plateau where a canon is prominently located just in front
of the temple. There are several deities around.
Several sweet meat vendors cold drinks etc have pitched in since the 19th
Saturday in preparation of the two day festival beginning today 22nd January,
2008. There was a Goan from Valpoi having a brisk business with our traditional
"bhaji pao" and "chai" As the deity had not arrived from the mainland Kadwad
which is about six kms from the Kodibag end there was time enough to make a
detour of the entire island. There was yet another landing point for those
that came in from Majali Sadashivgad and even Canacona on the Northern end of
the island. It was such a pleasant site to see the boats with orange flags and
swaying in the winter waters of the River Kali.
Then as the crowds started swelling from the beach end to the top the women and
men were made to stand in separate rows to get ready for the darshan and
offering of fruits etc to the Lord Narasimha. According to a bystander, this
"zatra" being held once a year many come to pay obeisance to the Lord for
favours rendered or for more in the coming months until the next festivity.
This writer spoke to the temple priest one Mr Pitre, according to him he was
performing the religious rites for over 40 years. He was not too sure how old
was the temple but some put it to about 1790. There is noting that reveals its
antiquity but the canon before the deity proves that the Portuguese too were on
the island.
Yet another committee member who spoke to me gave me an indication that the
island belonged to one Mr Coelho. They say that he was a "cabo" a high ranking
police official and was gifted the 22,000 sg kms island. It is now learnt that
the heirs of Mr Coelho some settled in Mumbai etc have now leased part of the
Island for a resort, access to which has been denied to the common man visiting
the island. However it is they who have permitted the part of the island for
the "zatra" once a year as a gesture of good will. According to another
committee member who had visited the island on 19th Jan and had come with his
family today for the "darshan" it is learnt that the Sadashivgad revenue
authorities had levied a land revenue tax of over Rs 25,000 which was paid by
the Coelho's in the last week. He fears that the island may eventually be
taken over by the Naval authorities and even the feast of Lord Narasimha could
suffer the same fate of the Anjediv
island.
However when this writer spoke to some women to know their mind on the
prospects of the closure of this festival, They remarked in unison that it is
the Goan community that had succumbed to the dictates of the Navy, Had the
Anjediv island been under the jurisdiction of Karwar they would have entered
enmasse and ensured that the festivities continued. They added that "Zorinche
Saibinn" and Lord Narasimha are revered equally by the entire Karwar population
and even those from Canacona and therefore the highhandedness of the Navy
should have been checked.
Another fishermen said that they the Navy could use the alibi that the Goans
have complied with the directions of the Navy and therefore may direct the
Deputy Commissioner of Karwar to bring an end to the Kurumgad island
festivities as well. However that may not happen in the near future.
On the return journey this writer encountered several Goans from Canacona
Shiroda and Valpoi, they claim that many of them have marital links with sons
and daughters of Karwar and hence make it a point to attend to the festivities
once a year.
Meanwhile the visit to the island will continue all night long and only
tommorrow the deity of Lord Narasimha will be carried back down to his home on
the mainland at Kadwad. With the bright moon the island surely is a place
worth a visit.
It is now hoped that the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman pay due attention to the
violations by the Naval authorities and pursue the issue of permitting the
customary feast of Nossa Senhora de Brotas on 2nd February, 2008. The local
MP's in Goa could move the matter with the Defence authorities and now that
Karnataka is under Presidents rule this should not be a difficult proposition.
This writer later visited Shirwad to meet the Bishop of Karwar Rev Derrick
Fernandes (ex Belgaum diocese ) but could not meet him as the Bishop was away
out of station instead met his representative Fr Lopez of Kumta and appraise
him of the issues pertaining the Anjediva and sought the co-operation of the
local people for the conduct of the feast
from the Kurumgad end
GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES,
BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA)
+91 98221 58584 (24 HRS)
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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