-- Samir Umarye BICHOLIM JUNE 12: The mining activities near Mulgao Bicholim has affected the rich heritage of the village where
several antique elements including some religious artifacts seem to be in danger. "Since long the villagers have found several idols, Shivlingas and Hero stones in the area" a villager and a teacher by profession, Vidhyadhar Raut told Herald. Most of these artifacts were recovered from the near by lake which has been dried out due to mining activities carried out on the hillock. "During our childhood we used to enjoy swim in this village lake but now it has totally dried out and it took just about 10 years for the entire change" Raut laments adding "several idols and ancient Shivlingas found in the village were dumped in the lake for safety and were later recovered when the villagers did an excavation." "Some years back several people had smuggled many wooden idols from the village and we got the news only when the the damage was done" Raut explained "besides this the mining might have already destroyed the heritage as is evident from the dry village lake." Some of the Shivlingas have now been placed near the lake under a small thatched roof. By the side of this temporary structure is another Shivlinga which is carved out from the hillock and seem to be that of a laterite stone. "The Shivlinga is very rare and from its make out it is likely to be one of the oldest in Goa" the incharge of the Heritage Action cell, Prajal Sakhardande told Herald when he visited the site. Besides Shivlinga some Hero stones are also found in the village. One of the Hero stone which is half broken has been placed very close to the village and depicts four figures. While three of them are playing some musical instruments the other is shown laying down wearing a crown. "The Hero stones are from the Kadamba period and are found at several places in Goa, they were carved in commemoration of the dead soldiers" Sakhardande explained "this proves that in olden days there might have been a war in the area and the stone is an evidence of the same." Even as the mining and other environmental factors are degrading the Mulgao's cultural wealth the villgers take pride in preserving and maintaining their village heritage. "These stones and Shivlingas would be kept in the village and we are making efforts so that they can be maintained" Raut claimed "we have also proposed a special board so that the stones could be identified."
