Many say Goa as Rome of East, many call Goa as Kashi of South. Goa is known for its beautiful sandy beaches and for scenic beauty. Thousands of foreign and Indian tourists visit this tiny State. Many of us may not aware or may not know that Goa is known for Churches and Temples also.
Ponda is known as land of temples, like Ponda we have another holy land of temples known as Fatorpa. The village in South Goa falls in Quepem Taluka for geographical reason but the part of Salcete for religious, art, culture and trade reasons.
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Village Fatorpa which has own Village Panchayat Fatorpa-Quitola is known as holy land of temples. There are more than six big temples besides more than 20 small math and temples. Goa’s famous temples Shree Shantadurga Kunkolikarin, Shree Shantadurga Fatarpekarin, Shree Shantadurga Kitalkarin , Shree Betal, Shree Laxmi and close to that Shree Shantadurga Ballikarin at Balli.
All these temples are very famous and festivals such as Jatra, Sotriyo, Gulal, Shidyo, Gadde, Dashra and many other attracts thousands of devotees at Fatorpa.
The famous five-day Jatra of Kunkolikarin and Sotriyo of Goddess Kunkolikarin attracts devotees from across Goa and even from Maharashtra and Karnataka, same for Goddess of Fatarpekarin and Kitalkarin also. Devotees of Betal and Laxmi Mata also pay their visit at Fatorpa. Besides, devotees, Indian and foreign tourists also visit Fatorpa, the land of temples.
Fatorpa has a rich history. During Portuguese regime Fatorpa was known as the safe place for Hindu God and Goddesses.
During the conversion period, many temple idols of God and Goddesses were shifted to Fatorpa from various villages of Salcete. If you visit Betal Temple at Fatorpa you will be surprised to see the Goddess Betulkarin, Baradikarin and other idols of God and Goddesses kept safely at Betal. All those temples were demolished and desecrated by the Portuguese during their regime. The local Mahajans tried to save their religion and God by protecting those idols from desecration and they shifted their faith to Fatorpa.
Shree Shantadurga Kunkolikarin is originally from Cuncolim, Gramdevi of Kukkolkars. Some period in1583, like local Mahajans of Dessai Community, fought war against Portuguese rulers and to protect their identity called the Swarajya and Swadhrma. They Shifted Goddess Kunkolikarin to Fatorpa. Since then the temple is situated at Fatorpa.
This place is known as Holy Place of Temples, all the temples are close to each other. The devotees visit Fatorpa and take blessings from all the temples. This village has got the fame of Hindu pilgrimage. Many devotees visit Fatorpa for religious activities. Hundreds of devotees and tourists visit this Holy land on daily bases. In spite of being identified as tourism spot, this village has not seen development for last so many years.
Fatorpa Village Panchayat has never shown interest to make Fatorpa a tourist destination place. Panchayat hardly discussed this issue in the gram sabha nor panchayat body ever discussed or planned to develop the village and also to tap business activities.
The roads are congested and no proper facility is available for the devotees and tourists. There is a need of good garden which can be used by all including senior citizens. There is also a need of library and recreation facilities including food court. Most important is cleanliness. The Devasthan Committees take the responsibility to keep the temples area clean but there should be a centralised system which will help all.
The local village panchayat and Devasthan Committees must come together and should plan a project which will attract more people at Fatorpa. There is a long pending demand to declare Fatorpa as “Temple Village” and to grant them special development grant. Nothing has been done in this regard.
It’s the role and duty of government to develop the Holy Land of Temples. Many call it as a Hindu pilgrimage spot. Will the government, local panchayat and Devasthan Committees come together for betterment of the village?
