AVINASH TAVARES
avinash@herald-goa
MARGAO: Natural rock formations in front of Chandreshwar Boothnath Temple in Paroda have been broken down by the temple committee as a part of the site clearance works for the construction of a new Deepsthamb (lamp tower).
The massive round boulders, which measured around 5-10 feet and were an intrinsic part of the identity and heritage of the site, were broken into pieces using stone cutters and hand tools.
Shockingly, the temple authorities have not taken requisite permission for construction work within the premises of the Chandreshwar Boothnath temple which is listed as a protected monument under the Directorate of Archaeology and Archives.
Herald contacted the Director DoAA, Blossom Madeira who confirmed that the Chandreshwar site is a protected site and that the temple committee has not taken permission for the construction work. She informed that they will be inspecting the site soon.
Herald contacted Harshad Desai, President of the temple committee. According to him, they don’t have anything in writing from the Archaeology department that the temple is protected. However, he said he is aware that the temple is a protected site but according to him the area in front of the temple doesn’t come under the preview of the Archaeology department. According to him, the excavation work does not amount to hill cutting under 17-A of TCP Act as well.
Desai informed that the works are being carried out by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation on the request of the temple authorities and that the contractor for breaking down the boulders is hired by the GTDC. The question that arises is whether the GTDC or the temple authorities are unaware of the law which states that any development within 100 mts of the protected monument shall require NOC from the Director of Archives and Archaeology.
The 100 metres restriction is meant not just to protect the Monument but also to protect the ancient priceless artefacts or structures that may be lying buried around the Monument. Any unmonitored excavation works could destroy these artefacts forever.
The original sacred site is reported to be more than 2500 years old. The temple is associated with the Bhoja dynasty who were the rulers of the region till the 8th century. The temple was dedicated to the Bhoja’s family deity, Lord Chandreshwar. Subsequently, the temple was rebuilt in the 17th century.
Yogesh Nagvekar, a respected heritage activist from Salcete, says, “The entire mountain is sacred. It is environmentally sensitive and at the same time from a medicinal point of view, it is valuable. There is already a small deepsthamb (lamp tower) next to the temple”, he said.
