Temples destroyed by the Portuguese need to be rebuilt to preserve Hindu culture: Goa CM

Panaji, Dec 23: "Temples destroyed during the Portuguese rule need to be rebuilt in the 60th year of Goa’s liberation", Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said with the state Assembly polls months away. The CM was speaking at the inauguration of development infrastructure at Mangueshi in Ponda. Notably, the Mangueshi temple is among Goa’s top pilgrimage destinations, attracting thousands of tourists.

 

 

"Some temples that were destroyed during the Portuguese rule were rebuilt by our ancestors and now the government also has helped in the beautification of some of these temples — like the Mhalsa temple in Verna," Sawant said. “It is among the country’s temples that were destroyed and rebuilt. This is a matter of pride for Goans," he added.

 

 

"There are more temples that are left to be rebuilt. In the 60th year of liberation, we want to start rebuilding the temples that the Portuguese destroyed. I ask you to once again preserve Hindu Sanskriti and Mandir Sanskriti (Hindu culture and temple culture). I ask you to give us the strength to rebuild these temples."

 

 

The Portuguese ordered inquisition in 1561, under which more than 300 Hindu temples were demolished. The CM said Shree Mangueshi temple had its origin in Kushasthali or modern-day Cortalim, which fell to the invading Portuguese in 1543. "Our ancestors moved the Manguesh linga from the original site at Kushasthali to its present location at Mangueshi. The Portuguese had demolished many temples in Goa, but our ancestors built those temples again," he said.

 

Goa celebrated the 60th anniversary of its Liberation on December 19.