CUNCOLIM

About Cuncolim

Cuncolim is a city and a municipal council in South Goa district in the state of Goa, India. The name Cuncolim is derived from the fact that the village was known as Kumkumahalli (village where kumkum or vermilion is produced)Cuncolim is located at 15.17N 73.98E.[2] It has an average elevation of 18 metres (59 feet). It is a former village, now with a municipal council of its own, in the south Goa sub-district (taluka) of Salcette, India. It is part of the AVC (Assolna-Velim-Cuncolim) network of villages. Historically, there were twelve Vangodds (clans) of Ganvkars (landlords) in the village. Their names, in order of precedence, are as follows: Mhal, Shetcar, Naik, Mangro, Shet, Tombddo, Porobo, Sidakalo, Lokakalo, Bandekar, Rounom and Benklo.[3] Cuncolim was the site of recurring Hindu dissent against Portuguese rule, and this village is also known for an early violent protest against the Portuguese, in 1583. Those killed on the Christian side include the so-called 'martyrs of Cuncolim'. The village of Cuncolim was the original site of the famous temple of Shree Shantadurga before this was demolished by the Portuguese in collaboration with the Christian missionaries. The Holy idol of Shree Shantadurga was taken to Fatorpa where the new temple of Shree Shantadurga Cuncolikarin stands today. The annual zatra of the temple happens in December /January where the Utsav which lasts for five days. The chariots depicting scenes of different Hindu mythological events are paraded on each night. On the fifth day the Maha chariot of the Goddess is taken in a procession around the temple which is attended by devotees from all cast and creed from across Goa as well as the neighbouring states. This yatra is also attended by many local Christian families who continue to hold sacred their familial allegiance to the Goddess. During the last days of the Holi festival, the idol of the Goddess is taken back to the original site at Cuncolim thus re-enacting the migration of the Goddess and many Hindu families who fled Salcette to preserve their faith. This marks the famous festival known as the Sontreo (Umbrellas) consisting 12 umbrellas representing 12 vangodds (clans) of Cuncolim. Amongst those Hindu communities that fled Cuncolim in the midst of religious persecution are the Kunbis, Gawdas, Daivadnyas and Saraswats. The Saraswats from Cuncolim and Quelossim formed a separate community called the Chitrapur Saraswats and they have their math headquarters in Chitrapur, Karnataka.