31 May 2022  |   07:23am IST

SHOCKING REVELATION: Centuries-old Hindu idols lying abandoned at Curdi

Locals feel that most idols are under threat; Urge the government and Archaeology Department to come out with solutions to protect them; however, once the govt reads this, they will surely build a temple-like monument to protect these idols
SHOCKING REVELATION: Centuries-old Hindu idols lying abandoned at Curdi

MARCOS GONSALVES

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SANGUEM: In a shocking revelation it has come to light that around five to six centuries-old Hindu idols are lying abandoned at Curdi, Sanguem, and craving urgent attention. 

The locals feel that most of these idols are under threat and hence have urged the government and Archaeology Department to come out with solutions to preserve and protect them at least from the historical point of view. 

Amongst them are Nandi and Goddesses Bhagwati, two idols that have been literally dumped in a godown in Valkini Colony number two. However, locals opined that neither the government nor the concerned authorities are serious about protecting and preserving them. 

It is pertinent to note that many including the Curdi Village Panchayat are of the impression that the few idols shifted from Curdi to Valkini are safe. However, they are now shocked to receive the news of the pathetic conditions of these idols. 

Panchayat and Mamlatdar offices are groping in the dark with regards to the status of the said idols. 

It is revealed that a near 11-feet statue of Vetal (Betal) lies in a small shed at Valkini, and according to the historians, this statue is centuries old. This idol has not been shifted to the temple for the past several years.

The other two half-idols lying at Curdi will get submerged once again during the monsoon. Shockingly, the centuries-old idols including that of Goddesses Bhagwati lie in a pile of rubbish in the colony. 

According to historians, Curdi was known for its rich nature and agriculture. Curdi was one of the most important revenue villages during the Portuguese regime. Someshwar, Vetal, Bhagwati, and Ravalnath were famous temples in the village. Someshwar was the deity worshiped by Curdi villagers. Some of the idols were sent to the fort. Even the villagers who have lived in Curdi for hundreds of years have no idea of how old the idol of Vetala is. The temple has completely collapsed but the temple pillars and gravel stones still exist.

"There are two half-idols of phantom God. They used to be in a vertical position but now are lying in mud due to water. One of the two idols was moved to Valkini. It has been kept intact for the past 38 years in a leaf in the forest", said Gurucharan Kurdikar, a local researcher. 

Kurdikar said although these idols are scattered everywhere today, they are very old. 

"These idols date back to the time of Kadamba or Chola culture. The idol taken to Valkini and the partial idol of the troll lying in the Curdi were made in the village,” said Kurdikar. 

The locals said the idol of Nandi in the original Someshwar temple of Curdi, which is ages old, and the idol of Goddess Bhagwati, which is a masterpiece, are lying in the debris heap at Valkini. It contains an inscription.

According to available information, the temple committee has authority over these idols. These idols cannot be moved anywhere without the committee’s permission.

The statues of the priests whose houses were kept have been lying in the same rubbish for the last 35 years. The people were rehabilitated with land and financial compensation, but the government has failed to preserve the idols, which have ancient evidence of Hindu culture.

Ajai Kurdikar, a local, said there may be issues pertaining to the authority of the idols, but these idols hold historical importance, and hence their protection and preservation are the need of the hour. 

"Our demand is that the government or the Archaeology Department should intervene and come out with some solution to protect these idols", he said. 

He said the 11-feet Vetal idol may be the first in Goa which is hundreds of years old and due to lack of a proper temple, it is now lying in a shed in the forest of Valkini Colony. 

There are many troll temples in the State. But people say that this magnificent statue of the troll, which was moved from Curdi during the 1980s, is the oldest and tallest. The villagers and Mahajans used to hold regular pooja discussions in the temple. During the construction of the dam, people were ordered to leave the village. At that time, people moved out of their settlements. 

Gurucharan said in the olden days people used to worship and pray for the welfare of the village in front of the Vetal statue. 

He said the new generation has no idea about this idol, which is very old and not maintained. The head of the idol is covered with a beehive. The area is completely covered with bushes. During monsoon, the shed is likely to collapse on the idol.

According to the sources from the concerned committee, an attempt was made to construct the Vetal temple but due to the objections of the Forest Department, the same could not be built. 

Despite hard efforts, Herald was unable to trace and contact the members of the temple committee. 

Curdi sarpanch Damacio Barreto said the present panchayat is aware of the conditions of the idols, and they were of the impression that those idols were kept in a safe place. 

"Now, we will discuss this issue at the panchayat meeting and will take the appropriate decision with regards to the safety of these idols. Yes, these idols hold historical importance. We will write to the concerned authorities in this regard at the earliest", he said. 

Sanguem mamlatdar Rajesh Sakhalkar said he will take up the issue and ensure that these idols are protected.


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