Filled with coconut palms and white sands, the village of Morjim in Pernem taluka is a gift of nature to mankind. The Arabian Sea and the beautiful Chapora River make Morjim, a paradise on earth. The temple of Shri Morjai in Morjim commands attention of heritage lovers and is of great historic importance. The Goddess, Shri Morjai is believed to be one of the seven sisters who came and resided in different parts of Goa along with their brother, Shri Khetoba. Shri Morjai resides in a majestic temple amidst a coconut grove. Though the temple does not have a ‘Shikhar,’ it possesses an elegant look. The temple walls are adorned with the rare and extinct ‘Kaavi’ art friezes. Excellent attempts have been made by the temple committee to conserve these murals ‘in situ.’ The original ‘Mukhmandap’ has round masonry pillars with this unique art running along their periphery. The windows grills of the ‘Mukhmandap,’ various geometric and floral patterns, are depicted in ‘Kaavi’ art. The maroon coloured ‘Kaavi’ art designs blend beautifully with the white washed walls.
The exterior ‘Sabhamandap’ dating to 1936 AD has rectangular columns supporting a balcony above. Though the exterior ‘Sabhamandap’ was a later addition, it matches well with the ancient temple.
The ceiling of the interior ‘Sabhamandap’ is magnificent. The vaulted roof inside has exquisite ‘Kaavi’ art murals. Floral and geometric patterns etched in ‘Kaavi,’ on the roof are worth seeing. It is very surprising to see the art etched on an inner side of a vaulted roof. One stands to imagine as to how these murals were etched in the interior of the vault. The ‘Kaavi’ art frescoes give the temple an archaeological and historic significance. A unique well surrounded by a series of semi circular arcs, nearby, is a unique piece of architecture, which is worth seeing.
The ‘Agr-shaallaa’ and the temple of Shri Ravalnath, nearby, give the precincts a traditional look. The president of the temple committee, Mr Gopal Shetgaonkar observes that heritage temples should not be concretized but should be conserved and preserved. He also opines that addition of mismatched elements in the old structure destroy the originality and the historicity of the building.
Our heritage churches, temples and mosques are testimony to Goa’s past. They should be conserved ‘in situ’ as they are our prized possessions.
By Rohit Phalgaonkar
The Navhind Times
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Posted By : Rohit Phalgaonkar, Goa on 20/06/2007
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