By Rohit R Phalgaonkar
Goahas lots of interesting facets still unexplored. These range from the various types of flora and fauna found in Goa to the different socio-cultural traditions and rituals of its different villages.
The concept of a village and the various elements and features associated with it are well depicted in folk theatres like the Gauda Jaagor.
The word village creates an image of a cluster of houses with Mangalore tiles or thatched roofs, narrow roads with trees on both sides, a small market, etc. But have you heard of a village comprising of just two houses? Yes! Just two houses!
A visit to this village along with a friend last weekend proved to be a great experience. It was more of a trek as we had to travel over bumpy roads and cross streams, all this on a bike.
The village is Endre and it is within the Khotigao Wildlife Sanctuary of the Canacona taluka.
Travelling for about 5 to 6 kms to this village was a great experience. It took us around 2 hours to cover the stretch on a bike as the road was very rough and we had to cross two streams. During heavy rains these streams develop a strong current and it becomes all the more difficult to reach the village and one is reduced to walking to Endre. You won’t meet people travelling to this village neither will you meet any wayfarers.
If you are lucky you will see a wild animal or two crossing your way. The chirping of birds on the huge trees and raindrops constantly falling off the leaves is an experience of the true natural beauty of Goa.
Midway, a huge tree had got uprooted and the road to the village was thus effectively blocked for bike travel and we had to resort to trekking the rest of the way to the village. The village Endre has just two houses, belonging to brothers Molu Gaonkar and Baban Gaonkar.
Santosh Gaonkar, the son of the Gaonkar family says, “This village has had just two families from many years. The reason behind it is not known. We still do not have electricity nor do we have any doctor. In case of any emergencies we have to go to Poinguinim.” His brother Anil mentions that people from neighbouring village come to their village to cultivate rice. “However, this year nobody has come to the village to cultivate rice and as the result the village wears a more deserted look than usual,” says Anil.
The village is a perfect example of what we call as living in harmony with nature. The houses are built from eco-friendly materials like mud and wood. Apart from these two man-made structures a third structure, housing an important archaeological artefact, exists in the form of temple. The temple has a sculpture of Mahishaasur mardini, which may perhaps date to 9th-10thcentury AD.
Another important archaeological vestige, which is found in this village, is an ancient shivling with a small Nandi sitting in front of it. However there is no structure above it.
(For queries contact iamkoolrohit@yahoo.co.in)
