------------------------------------------------------------------------ * G * O * A * N * E * T **** C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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