Khapreshwar temple could have been saved by govt: Thakare

Speaking to media persons Thakare said that by demolishing the  shrine of Dev Khapreshwar, the state government had hurt the ‘Astha’ or faith of the devotees. Dev Khapreshwar also known as the eternal protector or Rakhandar is believed to be ever present, watching over the community and shielding the locals from harm. Devotees deeply trust his divine presence. Hence he cannot be shifted to another place without taking the devotees into confidence. 

"There was enough space at the site where Dev Khapreshwar was located.There was no need of demolition of the shrine and thereby hurting the faith of the devotees. Nobody is against the development of Porvorim. Development has to take place but with the consent of the locals . Khapreshwar devastan could have been saved by the state government," said Thakare.

Goa Pradesh Congress President Amit Patkar said that the existing committee of the Khapreshwar devastan had been serving the God for several years now and without their consent how anybody can shift the eternal Protector or ‘Rakhandar’ elsewhere? Who has given the authority to Public Works Department to demolish the Khapreshwar devastan? 

Patkar said that the existing committee has taken ‘the Prasad’ of Vetal at Mulgaon and the Khapreshwar God has declined to move elsewhere. It is very clear that ‘Rakhandar’ of that area cannot be shifted. Politically motivated group cannot take the ‘Prasad’ of the God and can say that God has given consent to shift it to other place.  

"This is utter nonsense ... State government has cut the 200-year-old banyan tree and shifted it elsewhere. What is the guarantee that it will survive? The state government could very well saved the banyan tree and Khapreshwar devastan by slightly changing the alignment of Flyover, added Patkar.