Ensconced in an orchard in the Goan village of Advalpal, an old and precious temple of Hanuman lies in a state of criminal neglect. Physical decay of the structure has taken hold, inside and out. This corrosion of the land’s cultural soul is a corollary to the ecocide underway in Goa.
Inside the shrine an exquisite image of Maruti greets the visitor. But there is more – the entire temple is embellished with kaavi (sgraffito) and represents one of the finest examples of its kind in Goa, as seen in the photographs below.
Ravaged by destructive mining the settlement of Advalpal is under severe pressure from rapacious miners and their political enablers. The future of this temple is highly uncertain – it is located on private property and the owner has had ‘offers’.
Hanuman of Advalpal, Goa
5D, 85L II
Hanuman temple in Advalpal, Goa
5D, 24-105L
Kaavi art on temple façade
5D, 24-105L
Can I know where is it exactly located ?
Mr. Rajan.
Glorious insights to Goa unlike any of the many books i been trying to read about Goa.
🙂
This is a fabulous temple. I wonder if we can notify the authorities so that they may add this as a heritage property and disallow any random reconstruction/ sale.
If the family in question need to be compensated this can be done by public funds as it is a shared heritage.
Thank you for the fabulous picture.
This site obviously needs some TLC and soon !!!
Even looking at the photograph in these maddeningly hot summer months makes one feel so refreshingly cool. Somewhat strangely, I hope that old Hanuman remains a little obscure in his haven in Advalpal, with just a few but discerning followers. For if the hordes begin to worship him then someone or the other will want to display their devotion to the monkey man by razing this little beauty down and replacing it with the concrete that so pleases modern sensibilities.
Strange world where we have to protect Hanuman rather than the other way around!