Temples of Goa – A Spiritual Odyssey
A Coffee Table Book of 362 pages that is a project of Vision TVM – Empowering the Konkani-speaking Community
The Coffee Table Book of 362 pages, titled ‘Temples of Goa – A Spiritual Odyssey’, which is a well-researched book providing details on 50 temples of Goa, was released by Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister of Goa in the presence of T.V. Mohandas Pai, Chairman, Aarin Capital Partners, Bengaluru, Ramadas Kamath U., Executive Vice-President, Infosys Ltd, and Basti Vaman Shenoy, World Konkani Centre, Mangaluru.
The book is a part of Vision TVM – Empowering the Konkani-speaking Community and is published by Konkani Bhas Ani Sanskriti Prathistan, World Konkani Centre, Lobo Prabhu Nagar- Konkani Gaon, Shaktinagar, Mangaluru.
The book release ceremony was held at Paryatan Bhavan at 03:30 pm on 17 December 2017.
The Chief Minister while referring to the need to chronicle details of the cultural facets of a region so as to provide insights into the belief systems and values of the people, expressed the hope that the book would be a valuable resource to any person desirous of learning about the cultural aspects of the people of Goa, especially their history, architecture and religious practices.
In his address TV Mohandas Pai spoke about the need to be aware of one’s cultural roots, traditions and practices, which included speaking one’s mother tongue. He added that this book aims to provide the reader with a broad view of the original religious ethos of Goa, the homeland of the Konkani speaking people. The temples, abodes of tranquility and divinity are storehouses of culture as well. That they survived the brutality unleashed on them during the Portuguese Inquisition by relocating and bravely faced the various attempts to subdue their culture and language is a testimony to the Konkanis’ desire, amidst all odds, to preserve their ancient culture, he pointed out.
Somehow Goa has always been portrayed as a land of sun, sand and beaches in modern times. While this cannot be denied, there are several unique cultural aspects as well as the history of the land that needs focus and this book seeks to highlight those, he informed the gathering.
He spoke about the need to preserve and propagate Konkani literature and culture, develop human resource and provide training as well as educational support for the youth, with a view to preserve the Konkani ethos for future generations.
The book has a Foreword by TV Mohandas Pai.
The well-illustrated book, of 17 inches width and 12 inches height, contains details of 50 temples under the headings of History, Legend, Architecture, Deities, Kulavis, Festivals and many other cultural practices. The introductory chapters on Goan history, economy, religion and culture are presented in an easy-to-read style with visuals that complement the matter effectively.
The information about the temples is backed by impeccable research. Bharathi Shevgoor is the researcher and chief editor. The photographs by Mangaluru’s ace photographer Annu, Mangaluru are a prominent attraction and lend an aesthetic appeal to the tastefully designed book. The spiritual ambiance of these places of worship has been portrayed with a finesse that is admirable.
Dr Pandurang Phaldesai, cultural historian and folklorist of Goa, who has edited the textual matter and also written the Introduction to the book and Dr Tanaji Halarnkar, eminent Konkani scholar were present on the occasion.