Follow the "Protected Site" Board.
Beyond Goa’s famous coastline, deep in its hinterland, lie many historical sites.
Today, let us explore some of these ‘hidden’ wonders.
Bicholim boasts of numerous historical sites, another such one is the Namazgah,
A remnant of Islamic architecture. Resting on top of a sombre hillock, it, although we managed to view it only from the bottom of the hillock as there was no access to it. When we attempted to click pictures of it from the base of the hillock, a security guard of the adjacent mining ground, shooed us away!
Moving further down south, to Rivona, is a protected site, scenes of which remain fresh in my mind, despite visiting it when I was just a child. Known as the petroglyphs of Usgalimal village, these rock carvings were done on the laterite surface of the banks of the river Kushawati. I remember seeing carvings of various animals and humans. This site also happens to be close to a now abandoned mine.
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands… And watch as bubbles break out to the surface of the Netravali Lake. Known as the Budbudyachi Tali (budbud - bubbles in Konkani), this spellbinding marvel, in the village of Netravali, Sanguem, can even turn adults into happy little kids. There are many theories about the cause of the bubbles, but any sort of vibration causes these bubbles to appear, and that was exactly what I did- I clapped and clapped until I could clap no more!
Closer home is one of Goa's oldest caves. Behind the church of St.Sebastian, Aquem, stands the ancient, rock-cut cave, called Pandava cave by locals. With no known connection to the Pandavas of Hindu mythology, this cave, consisting of two small chambers, has stood through the vagaries of nature and man. With construction all around, only those two chambers stand alone, with the hillock they were part of long gone.
Whilst these sites are marked with "Protected Site" boards, they are at risk of decay due to lack of maintenance. It is very difficult to picture what life may have been in those times, but one can only imagine the hard work and determination of those living during those times to work with simple implements to leave such marvels for us. So, when you visit these sites, set amidst the bounty of nature, pause, take a deep breath of the fresh air and thank your ancestors for giving you an opportunity of getting a glimpse of the past.
Comments
Post a Comment