Patrem is an ancient remote village located in the Sanguem taluka. Patrem is the Velip heritage village. Goa's very ancient temple ruins, sacred groves can be seen at Patrem. From Patrem you can see the Sahyadri range beyond which is the state of Karnataka. We met the village Gaonkar Udas Nagu Velip who took us around the sacred ' rai ' (sacred grove)of Patrem. Shigmo is the main festival of Patrem. They have unique rituals such as 'Keli bhajap' literally meaning frying the banana, sacrificing a cock,etc.
The ancient temple of Mallikarjun or Malkajan houses a unique Shivling which is spherical-shaped resting on the 'yoni-peetha' or ling peetha (pedestal)surrounded by the roinn or 'Santer' (ant-hill) or the earth goddess. The male and female principle of the creation of the universe is seen here. The roinn symbolizes the female principle - the Shakti whereas the ling symbolizes the male principle - the Shiva. This is a rare temple where one can see a ling surrounded by the roinn which encircles the 'yoni-peetha'.
In this temple you can also see a very ancient stone sculpture of Ganesh, again a rare piece of antique sculpture. The sacred grove of Patrem has a large number of ruined temple plinths which display varied folk deities such as Khunti-Maya, Vaghro, Kolmi-maya, Dhakto-zalmi, Panch-Pandav, Siddhaguru, Paikadev.
The sacred grove was an ancient way of conserving ecology and environment devised by the village elders of the 'Gaonkaris'(village communities). In these sacred groves you find a number of trees preserved and worshipped, each having scientific, medicinal or therapeutic value. A ritual called wadibharap is performed by the villagers of Patrem. We visited the sacred maand of Patrem.
In Patrem we also see a temple dedicated to a Swami Rai Baba. Patrem has a cluster of few traditional houses. However the cemented structure built over the ancient Mallikarjun does not vibe well or jell with the antique look of the village. A government private school is located at Patrem.
The village is accessible from Barazan-Tisk Forest check-post via Sanguem town. Patrem establishes Goa's link with her ancient past. Here you can experience the unadulterated, undiluted original cultural heritage. I would like to express my gratitude to Ms Smriti Kothare and Mr Russel Coutinho for their help.
PANORAMA
April 02, 2006
Prajal Sakhardande
Posted By : Prajal Sakhardande, Goa on 01/02/2007
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