ABOUT COLUMB
ShriShantadurga is the most popular deity worshipped all over Goa. Regarded as the avatar of Shree Jagdamba Devi, she is known by several names Santeri, Thamai, Bhumika, Adimaya and others. There are many temples dedicated to her in Goa.
The Goddess' temples in Goa were traditionally built over anthills. The aboriginalAustric tribes(Kols, Kharvis, Mundaris) and some of the earliest settlers in Goa worshipped Mother Earth in the form of an anthill.The anthill is called Roen, which is derived from the Austric word “Rono” meaning holes. Later, Indo-Aryan and Dravidian settlers adopted anthill worship, which was translated into Prakrit language as Santara.The Indo –Aryans also worshipped Mother Earth by the name of Bhumika. The goddess was latercolloquially referred to as Santeri. The anthill worship still continues in Goa, not only by the descendants of these ancient settlers, but by all the Goans.
In Hindu mythology, there are several legendsthat tell us of a celestial battle between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Shri Shantadurga acting as the mediatormade peace between them.She placed Lord Vishnu on her right hand and Lord Shiva on her left hand and settled the fight. The word “Shanta” means peacemaker and as she acted as the harbinger of peace, she was called Shantadurga.
ShriShantadurga or Santeri is typically depictedas holding two serpents, one in each hand, representing Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.These serpents are metaphors for demonic tendencies which are kept in check by her.ShriShantadurga is sometimes shown with a fish on her crown, as she is the patron Goddess of fisherfolk or the Koli community. She is the most popular deity among the kuldevatas and is the kuldevta of many Konkani Saraswats, Karhade Brahmins, Daivadnya Brahmins, Bhandaris and Marathas.
Most villages in Goa have a Shantadurga temple or at a least a shrine dedicated to Santeri. The village of Columb in Sanguemtalukais just 3 kms to the south of Rivona.Just like many other villages in Goa, the village of Columb, is also the home of an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Shantadurga.
Shri Shantadurga temple in Columb is a very ancient temple and specific details about the history of this temple are unavailable. The idol (murti) of the goddess in the temple sanctum is very old and made of Krishnashila. Krishnashila is rare variety of stone specifically used to make sacred idols as per Vedic tradition. It is said that deity murtismade of this stone emit very positive and creative energy. The craftsmanship of the murti in the temple in Columb is very intricate and beautiful.
The Mahajans of the Shri Shantadurga temple in Columb, belong to the Kaushikgotra.
The original inhabitants of Columb village were theVelip community.The Gaonkar Desai community came to Columb later. Most of the population belongs to the Gawda and Velip community. Farming and mining are the two pr0fessions common in this community.
Daivadnya Brahminsmigrated to Rivona in 1571. Daivadnya Brahmins are predominantly Devi (Goddess) worshippers.As the head of the Daivadnyafamily was a Kalika Devi bhakta, he prefered to stay in the premises of Shantadurga temple in Columb. They set up their Kulpurush in the premises of the Shantadurga temple. Shri RamnathRampurushDevastan at Columb is a temple dedicated to the Kulpurush/Mulpurush of the RevankarDaivadnya Brahmin community.
Temples in Goa have always been centers of social congregation. The Goddess Shantadurga is worshipped with utmost sanctity by Hindus and Christians alike in Goa. Many Goan Catholic families in Columbcontinue to partake of worship in the Shantadurga temple due to their familial links with the temple and the Goddess. She is called “Saibini” in Konkani as a mark of reverence.
Annual Festivals celebrated in the Shri Shantadurgain Columbtemple provide an occasion for devotees associated with the temple to offer prayers to the Goddess as an expression of gratitude.One of the main features of the temple festivitiesis the performance of Goan folk drama called LokJagar. These narrative style dramas are complimented with song and dance. The "PeraniJagar" performed exclusively by the Hindu community who are closely associated with the temple is one of the highlights of the AkshayaTritiya celebrations in the temple.AkshayaTritiya is considered one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu Calendar.
In the month of Kartik, the annual Dashavatari-Kalo celebration is a big cultural event in the Shri Shantadurga temple in Columb.It is an utsav during which various social, cultural and religious activities are organized by the villagers and members of the temple committee.Other important celebrations in the temple include the RamnavamiUtsav andHoli. The auspicious festival of Holi popularly known as Shigmo in Goa includes GulalotsavaandRathotsava.
In the month of Ashwin, the festival of Navrathri is celebrated very enthusiastically by the devotees. After the nine day celebrations in the temple premises, on the tenth day, the beautifully decorated idol of ShriShantadurga is taken out in a palkhi procession to the Shri Vimleshwara Devasthan, and then the Dassera celebrations begin in the Shri Vimleshwara temple.
The premises of the Shri Shantadurgatemple in Columbhave undergone many renovations in recent years.
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