PORVORIM
After nearly 24 hours of tension, unrest and a stand-off between authorities and protesters at Vodakkodem in Porvorim, a portion of the structure of the 200-year-old Dev Shree Khapreshwar temple was demolished in the wee hours of Monday.
The temple's idol and other deities were relocated to a temporary structure opposite a car showroom near Damien de Goa in Porvorim, while the sacred banyan tree was translocated to a site in Socorro later in the day, to make way for the six-lane elevated corridor on National Highway 66.
After encountering stiff resistance from a large number of people throughout Sunday, authorities on Sunday night finally halted move to remove the idol of Dev Khapreshwar and demolish the temple structure.
A group of devotees of Dev Khapreshwar, however, maintained vigil at the site.
At about 3 am, a strong police force led by the SP and DySP went to the site. Under police protection, the devotees were kept at bay as the idol of Dev Khapreshwar and other religious items were removed from the temple. Labourers then razed a portion of the temple by about 3.30 am.
The temple's idol and other deities were relocated to a temporary structure opposite a car showroom near Damien de Goa in Porvorim under police protection.
When contacted, Porvorim DySP Visvesh Karpe said the transportation of the idol of Dev Khapreshwar to a temporary site near Damien de Goa was smooth and peaceful.
“The idol was placed in a container after performing all religious rituals. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had already assured on Sunday night a temple of Dev Khapreshwar would be constructed at Socorro.”
Having relocated the idol of and razed a portion of the temple structure, authorities then began the task of translocating the sacred banyan tree at Vodakkodem.
“At about 9 am, a JCB lifted the banyan tree and placed it on a trailer. The vehicle then proceeded to be translocated in the field opposite the petrol pump at Socorro under the supervision of the experts of Doctor Tree India Pvt Ltd,” said DySP Karpe.
