Goa's Monumental Tribute: A Temple for Lost Heritage

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced plans to build a 'representative' temple to honor over 1,000 temples demolished during Portuguese rule. The 'Koti-Teerth' mega temple will be on Diwar Island, where the original Saptakoteshwar temple once stood. It aims to commemorate the region's rich historical and cultural legacy.

In a significant move to honor Goa's rich historical and cultural heritage, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced on Wednesday the construction of a ''representative'' temple. This monumental structure is dedicated to the over 1,000 temples demolished during the colonial Portuguese era.

The state cabinet has given the green light for the construction of the 'Koti-Teerth', a vast temple complex sprawling across 10,000 square meters on Diwar Island. This location is historically significant as it was once home to the original Saptakoteshwar temple.

The decision comes after a government-commissioned report by archaeologists and historians confirmed the large scale destruction of temples during Portuguese rule. Realizing the impracticality of reconstructing all the lost temples, the government opted to create a representative temple at Diwar Island. This site holds additional historical importance as the deity of the original temple was moved to Narve village by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj following its demolition.

(With inputs from agencies.)