ABOUT RIVONA
The Hindu temples of Goa are rich repositories of Goa’s ancient heritage. The Shri Vimleshwar temple in Rivona has a very unique ancient history which is intertwined with the history of Goa.Today Goa,referred to as the Jewel of Konkan, is one of the most attractive tourist spots in the world famous mostly for its beaches. But, the history of Goa goes back as far as the Stone Ages.
The Usgalimal rock carvings discovered in 1993 situated about 16 kms south of Rivona is now one of the most important prehistoric sites in western India. Archaeologists discovered rock art engravings on lateritic platforms and granite boulders on the banks of theKushavati River. For many years the Kushavati rock art gallery of Goa was known locally as “GoravarakhnyachiChitram” or pictures made by the local cowherds. But these rock carvings are believed to have been created in the Mesolithic Period (Middle Stone Ages i.e. 9000-4000 BC).These petroglyphs which include motifs of bulls, spirals, lines and human figures have demonstrated that the region had been supporting a population of hunter-gatherers well before the advent of agriculture. Archaeological evidence in the form of polished stone axes found in Goa Velhasuggest the first settlements of Neolithic (New Stone Age) man in Goa. During this period, the tribes of Austric origin such as the Kols, Mundaris and Kharvis may have settled in Goa, living on hunting, fishing and a primitive form of agriculture since 3500 BC. The Kol tribe is originally assumed to be from the banks of the Sindhu river and may have migrated from Gujarat(Kutch area) and settled in Goa. The names of towns like Kolaval indicate that the Kol communities were the original inhabitants of the place
These aboriginal tribes lived in the woods and in tree-houses in the mountains.They worshippedMother Earth in the form of anthill. The Anthill is called Roen, which is derived from the Austric word Rono meaning holes. Later Indo-Aryan and Dravidian settlers also adopted anthill worship which was translated into Prakritlanguage as Santara (now colloquially known as Santeri). Shri Santeri is the most popular deity worshipped in Goa today.
The praying of the lingam was also a part of the culture of the aboriginal Kol community. Thus, the worship of the shivalinga goes far back in time. Records indicate that the Mahabaleshwara of Gokarn and Valkeshwara of Mumbai were established by the Kol Community. As they were worshippers of the Lingam, it has been hypothesized that the old shivalinga which now resides in the Shri Vimleshwara Devasthan was first established by the Kol community settled in the region. It is assumed that this lingam may have been lost in time due to ravages of nature, in the form of monsoon floods which may have swept it downstream and covered it in layers of mud. But, some things which are lost are meant to be found again. A couple of centuries were to pass by, before the ancient shivalinga would be discovered again.
As the aboriginal tribes in the Kushawati region transitioned into a Neolithic society, they began the domestication of animals.Agriculture had not fully developed at this stage and was only just shaping up. The tribes living in the mountains and woods started moving into the valleys. Some moved towards the coastal areas and some stayed near the hills and the valleys. The inhabitants of the coastal areas were called Kolis, and the inhabitants of the hilly areas were called Kunbis.
Historians hypothesize that there were several waves of migrationsin the history of Goa.The first wave of Indo-Aryans might have been around 2500 BC.In some Puranas, the Konkanregion is referred to as Parashuramabhoomi. Some historians have proposed a theory of migration of the Bhargava tribe to Goa from Gujarat. This tribe was named after their clan symbol of an axe.This theory links the Parashurama mythology (Lord Parashurama is depicted with an axe) with history.
According to the Parashurama legend (SkandaPurana-Sahyadrikhanda), Parashurama the sixth reincarnation of Vishnu set seven arrows flying from the Sahyadris to push back the sea and create a stretch of land which he could claim for himself. The sea-god acceded to his wish and created a region “Shurparaka”, which translates literally to winnowing fan. The bottom of Deccan plateau was lifted up and out of sea-waters by the tectonic movements and formed the West-coast of India. This region was known as Parashuramabhoomi. The legend further tells us that, Parashurama brought with him Rishis and Brahmin families belonging to ten gotras to perform havans, yajnas and ritualistic sacrifices in the region. Most of these Rishis and Brahmin families later settled in many villages in the Konkan area.
The Rivona village lies on the banks of the silent and the serene Kushavatiriver. The quiet solitude of the Rivona village with its freshwater hot springs, abundance of rushing water and forest made it an ideal place for meditation. Rishivan (‘forest of the sages') was an appropriate description for the Rivona village which became a chosen destination for many Rishis who were seeking enlightenment through meditation. Many of the Rishis settled in the village of Rivona and built their ashrams there.The original name of the village was Rivona, but it was called Rishivan after the Rishis arrived. Later, a Vedic Vidyashram was built at the foothills of the neighboring mountains. Students from near and afar came to the Vedic Vidyashram to learn and study the Vedas.
After the migration of the Indo-Aryans, the advent of the Sumerians around 2000 BC revolutionized Goan social and community life. The Sumerians developed two institutions-- the Comunidades (Gramasansthas) and the Mazanias (temple committees). The Comunidades looked after agriculture, horticulture, building of public roads, sanitation and general needs of the community. The Mazanias (now known as Mahajans) looked after the religious and educational needs of the community. Every original resident of the village known as “Gaunkar” was a member of the Comunidade. The Gaunkars were also the Mahajans of the temple. But the Mahajans of a temple were restricted to certain families belonging to particular gotras. The term Gotrarefers to a clan (a group of families), or a lineage - exogamous and patrilineal - whose members trace their descent to a common ancestor, usually a sage of ancient times.
The Sumerians’ view that the village land belonged to the village god or goddess was the main feature of the Gaunkari system. The village's preeminent deity's temple was the center of all the activities. In almost all villages, the main temple was founded by the Gramasanstha. A part of the land in the village was usually reserved for the maintenance of the temple. The possession of these lands lay with the temple committee (Mazanias/Mahajans) and the recurring expenses of the temple were met from the income derived from these lands. The Gramasansthas lent its temples the most exalted place and the temples were the main centers of education, entertainment, religious and social gatherings. This type of an oligarchic democracy of village-administration in Goa known as Gaunponn has been in existence for a long time. Hence, the attachment and fidelity of the Goans to their village has always surpassed their loyalty to their rulers despite the periodic change of sovereigns.
After the Sumerians, the second wave of Indo-Aryans arrived in Goa sometime between1700 to 1400 BC. This second wave of migration was accompanied by Dravidians from the Deccan plateau. The admixture of several cultures, customs, religions, dialects and beliefs led to a revolutionary change in early Goan society.
In ancient literature, Goa was known by many names such as Gomanta, Gomanchala, Gopakapattam, Gopakapuri, Govapuri, Govem, and Gomantak. The first literary reference to Goa is in the BhishmaParva of Mahabharata as “Gomanta” which translates as the region of cows.This was the time in human history when domestication of animals and early agricultural development started. Lord Balarama, usually depicted carrying a plough is referred to as the Lord of Agriculture and is credited for the revolutionary changes in early agricultural practices.
The gradual changes due to agricultural development lead to a major transformation in human society and resulted in stable human settlements. In the village of Rivona, the aboriginal Kunbi tribe formed the bulk of the agricultural workforce.Looking for a suitable place for livelihood, they started to reclaim the land, draining the sea water swamped over the land, clearing the dense forest and making it fit for agriculture. TheKunbis started farming in the valleys. As fate would have it, the oldshivalinga which had been lost was soon destined to be found again.The exact date and year, when the ancient shivalinga was recovered are not available, but it was on the day of an Ekadashi.
The day of Ekadashi, a kunbi farmer was tilling the field when his plough hit something. When he cleared the mud around, he discovered a lingam.Being a worshipper of the lingam, the Kunbi farmer was very excited by his discovery. Soon the villagers gathered to witness this amazing discovery. TheRivona communidade or gaunkari(villagers) set up the shivalingam and consecrated it on its current site by building a small temple. The pandits and villagers gathered decided to call the ancient shivalinga deity as Shri Vimleshwara. The word Vimaleshwara is a composite of two words: Vimal (pure) and Ishwara (God).The moolashivalinga in the inner sanctum in the Shri Vimleshwara Devasthan still bears marks on the spot where the Kunbi farmers’ plough hit it. A stone sculpture of the Kunbi farmer who discovered the shivalinga is set up on the right hand side, just outside the main garbhagriha in the temple. As a mark of respect for discovering the shivalinga, an aarti is performed of the Kunbi farmer (KunbiDev) after the main aarti of Lord Vimleshwara in the garbagriha. Even to this day, the local farmers in Rivona do not plough their fields on the Ekadashi day when the ancient shivalinga was recovered.
Goa was ruled by several dynasties of various origins during the time of its medieval history. It became a part of the Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BC. During this era, Buddhism was introduced to Goa.Popular legend in Rivona speaks of the Buddhist missionary Purna or Punna. PurnaMaitrayani was a native Goan who traveled to Sarnath and became a disciple of Buddha. He was one of the ten leading disciples of Buddha. He popularized Buddhism in Goa.
Ancient rock-cut caves which were centers of Buddhist worship are found on the outskirts of Rivona bordering the farmlands on a plateau area called the Pandavasada (Pandava’s Plateau). The Rivona Caves (Pandava caves) are located about 5 km northeast of Ponda. Although these caves are referred to as Pandava caves, they have nothing to do with the Pandavas of Mahabharata. Historians date the caves back to the 5th or 6th century and believe them to be of Buddhist origin. These Rivona caves closely resemble the Buddhist cave of Lamgao in BicholimTaluka.
At the Buddhist caves in Rivona one can see a "Pitha", which is carved out of laterite and is believed to have served as the seat of the teacher. It is said that the Buddhist gurus sat on this Peeta, meditated and preached principles of Buddhism to their disciples. There are steps by the side of the cave leading to a water pond.
After the Mauryans, the Shatavahana dynasty ruled Goa (200 BC to 100 AD). Later, theBhojas ruled between 4-6th century AD followed by the Chalukyas of Badami(6-8th century AD).During the rule of thesedynastiesthe influence of Buddhism waned and Vedic influence made resurgence.
The earliest known record of the Bhoja Empire in Goa dates back to the 4thcentury and is found in the town of Shiroda in Goa. These records indicate that the Bhojas during their rule donated a lot of land to Hindu religious scholars and temples in the GomatakaAshthagramaSangha. The village of Rivona (Rishivan) was a part of the GomantakAshtagramaSangha which included Rivona, Columb, Kurdi, Kurpe, Nunde, Netarli, Bhati, Verleare. Land donated to Brahmins and religious scholars is known as agrahara.These land donations (agraharas) and donations of funds (to renovate old temples) helped in the resurgence of ancient Vedic traditions.
References to the Shri Vimleshwara temple in Rivona are also found in the 6th century GomantakBadamiChalukya administration accounts. The chieftain of the Badami rulers, KeshavMahajanidonatedland (agrahara) to 5 Brahmins in Rivona along with funds for pooja, naivadya, nandadeep etc. The old Shri Vimleshwar temple was renovated. The shivalinga was reinstalled and the prathisthapana done according to Vedic traditions.
After the rule of the BadamiChalukyas, several rulers followed, many vigorously proselytizing their own religious preferences. The Jain Silharas of the Rashtrakutadynasty ruled Goa, sponsoring their faith and building Jain temples between 8-10th century AD.
The Kadambas ruled over Goa between 11- 13th century AD. Goa's religion, culture, trade and arts flourished under the rule of these kings. The Kings and their Queens built many Shiva temples as they were devote Shaivites. In the 11th century, Kadamba minister, Ram Pai did the Jeernodhara (renovations) of the Vimleshwara temple.
Records indicate that in 1174, KadambaQueen, Shri Kamaladevi(wife of King Shivachitta) brought 30 erudite Brahmins from different parts of the country and settled them in Goa. One of these Brahmin families belonging to the Kaushikgotra (last name Dev), eventually settled in Rivona. Descendants of this family are called as the family of Elder priests’(“ThorleBhat”) and hold a position of privilege in the Vimleshwara temple.
After the long Kadamba rule, Yadavas of Devagiriruled over Goa briefly, followed by the rule of the Delhi Sultanate which propagated Islam.A few decades later the Hindu VijayanagaraEmpire ruled Goabetween 14th and 15th century AD.The Bahamani Sultans controlled Goa in the latter 15th century.
In 1510 AD, the Portuguese invaded Goa and ruled for 450 years. During the time of the infamous Portuguese Inquisition, many Hindu temples in the Old Conquest were destroyed and many of the deities in these temples were relocated. Fortunately, Shri Vimleshwara temple remained unaffected during the Portuguese Inquisition because it was under the jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Sonde.
In the year 1620, the second Jeernodhara(renovations) took place at the Shri Vimleshwara temple.The Shri Vimleshwar Devasthan underwent major renovations again in the year 1920when it was built to its present dimensions.
In 1961 the Indian Army liberated Goa from Portuguese rule, the culmination of the efforts of scores of freedom fighters. Goa remained a part of the Indian Union Territory till it attained Statehood on May 30, 1987, becoming the 25th State of India.
In spite of the chaos imposed by successive rulers of different religionsor perhaps seasoned and strengthened by it, Goans’ have mostly kept to their roots. Throughout its history Goa has undergone continual transformation, leaving an indelible impression on various aspects of its cultural and socio-economic development. Today, the multireligious fabric of Goan society is well known for its spirit of “Sarva Dharma SamaBhava” i.e. equal respect for all religions.
The history of the village of Rivona provides an insightful portrait reflecting all the changes that Goa went through in its rich and varied history. The thousands of centuries old shivalinga in the Shri Vimleshwara Devasthan has been a witness to this history. Time is perennial and change is constant, but some things endure time and change.Shri Vimleshwar Devasthan is a symbol of survival, a testament to how some things are able to withstand the test of time.
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