PANAJI
In a statement which could potentially divide opinion among communities in the State, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said there is a need to rebuild temples which had been destroyed by the Portuguese and appealed to people to support him to take up the task to reinstate Hindu temples and ‘Hindu Sanskruti’ in the State.
"In the 60th year of Goa’s Liberation, we need to rebuild temples which were destroyed by the Portuguese. I am not demanding anything else from the people but the strength and support to preserve and reinstate Hindu Sanskruti and Hindu temples in Goa,” said Sawant, while speaking at an inaugural function organised by the tourism department and Goa Tourism Development Corporation to develop tourism infrastructure at Mangueshi in Ponda.
Highlighting the history of Mangueshi temple, the chief minister said the temple had its origin in Kushasthali Cortalim which fell to the invading Portuguese in 1543.
“Our ancestors moved the Manguesh Linga from the original site at the Kushasthali Cortalim to its present location at Mangueshi. During that time, Portuguese had demolished many temples in Goa,” said Sawant.
Sawant also praised the Tourist App developed by GTDC and said tourists would find it easy to locate their destinations during their visit to Goa.
The chief minister also stated that development of tourism infrastructure would strengthen and enhance tourism capacity at Manguesh Devasthan.
“In Phase 1, we have completed basic infrastructure facilities like toilet block, TIC, parking, illumination and shops. Soon, we will complete the Phase 2, which includes a food plaza restaurant, community hall and cottages for tourists at a cost about Rs 28 crore.
In order to complete such projects, the government needs public support,” said Sawant.
Union Minister of State for Tourism and Ports Shripad Naik, Minister for Art and Culture Govind Gaude, GTDC Managing Director Nikhil Desai, ZP member Damodar Naik, sarpanchas and panch members were among those present on the occasion.
In his address, Union Minister Shripad Naik said the project mainly consists of 58 shops with parking facilities for 75 cars, 75 two-wheelers, 70 mini-buses or 40 buses along with toilet facilities.
“The development area also consists of drainage, footpaths and illumination. Keeping spiritual tourism in mind, the government has developed many such projects in Goa. The central government under the various schemes helps Goa in infrastructural development,” he said.
