PANAJI
Goa Tourism Development Corporation’s (GTDC) spiritual project to develop banks of the Mandovi River at Narve as ‘Ghat Aarti’ -- in line with aarti performed on the banks of the Ganga -- has got CRZ clearance.
The Corporation is going to spend Rs 10.5 crore to develop an “aarti deck,” which could also include a larger-than-life statue of Lord Shiva.
The GCZMA during its meeting held last month accorded CRZ clearance to the project on a condition that all the facilities to be developed should be temporary in nature and should be away from mangrove buffer zone area.
The development of the ‘ghat aarti’ will include the construction of a puja mandapam, an aarti deck, seating areas, a ticket counter, a cafeteria, and a tourist information centre, along with a floating jetty, small boats, and a ferry ramp.
“The Authority decided to approve the project subject to the condition that no structures shall be erected in the mangrove buffer zone,” GCZMA said, adding that the mangrove buffer zone should be avoided for the development purpose as it is an ecologically sensitive area.
The Expert Committee recommended that the development with the No Development Zone if required for local inhabitants may be permitted under CRZ notification 2011.
According to the sources, the project is expected to be completed with a period of ten to twelve months. The tourism department has appointed Darashaw & Company as the architect and consultant for the project. The company will supervise the construction and provide all designs for the aarti ghat.
The aarti is a sacred Hindu ceremony involving the lighting of lamps, rhythmic chants, incense, bhajans, and prayers.
The village of Narve in Bicholim plays host to the Saptakoteshwar temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was recently reconstructed and beautified. Lord Saptakoteshwar, a form of Lord Shiva, was one of the chief deities of the Kadamba dynasty around the twelfth century.
