Goa Governor:Re-build temples destroyed by Portuguese

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Goa Governor calls for re-building temples destroyed by Portuguese

 

DH News Service PANAJI, Oct 11

 

In a function attended by prominent members of the RSS and VHP in

Goa, Governor Kidar Nath Sahani said the reconstruction of temples

destroyed by Portuguese colonisers in Goa was a matter of "national

identity and heritage".

 

He said getting funds for the purpose would be no problem. An

official government communique quotes Mr Sahani as having said, "the

reconstruction of temples demolished by the Portuguese and erstwhile

regimes has great importance in the nation-building and in bringing

about national awakening among the people."

 

"People from all faiths should come together and extend cooperation

in this mammoth task as it involves issues of national identity and

heritage."

 

The governor's comments on Friday, were made at the site of the Shree

Mahalsa temple in Verna, where the demolished temple is being

rebuilt. Four smaller temples, Shree Sateri, Ganesh, Mahalaxmi and

Nagadevata are also to be constructed.The reconstruction will cost Rs

4 crore. The government communique said that the old temple was

demolished by the Portuguese in 1567.

 

Goa was colonised by the proselytising Portuguese in 1510 and

liberated only 451 years later in 1961. Hundreds of temples are

believed to have been razed down by the colonial power. Mr Sahani,

who took over the gubbernatorial post in Goa after Mr Mohammed Fazal

was transferred as Governor of Maharashtra, makes no bones about his

RSS background.

 

Among those present at the governor's visit were RSS convener Subhash

Velinkar and the organisation's functionary Ratnakar Lele apart from

the VHP's South Goa president.