By Rohit R Phalgaonkar
Many times rare antiques or vestiges of the ancient period are found around temples in Goa. These include sculptures, images, parts of carved wooden beams, old lamps, bells etc.
Such objects which are not in use are mostly discarded off by the temple committees. As nobody knows what should be done with these rare antiquities normally they are seen lying around the temple carelessly. The historic importance of these objects is known only to historians and heritage lovers.
The temple authorities also do not know how to deal with such objects. Some temple authorities feel that these artifacts may not impress the government museum authorities so handing over these objects to government museum may not be fruitful.
However the temple of Shri Kalika at Kasarpal in Bicholim taluka has made a turning point in Goa’s history of museum. It is the first temple in Goa to have a private museum on its own, titled as Kaalamba Sangrahaalai.
This historic step and decision was taken by the temple committee members. Mr Paresh Raikar (President), along with Mr Digambar Raikar (Vice- President), Mr Gajanan Salkar, Mr Chetan Bandodkar, Mr Rajendra Verlekar, Mr Avdhut Tanksali, Mr Anand Bandodkar and Mr Dilip Vernekar.
The Museum was formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Mr Digambar Kamat, on the day of Gudi Padwa on March 16, 2010. What does this museum house? Since it’s a museum of a temple on can see almost all the objects associated with a temple and its ritual. It has objects of ancient, medieval and the modern period.
The museum has around 10 small galleries housing rare antiquities including stone sculptures, brass lamps, wooden and silver artifacts etc. The huge standing brass lamps, traditionally called Divaleo or Samai with peacock crowning its top, at the entrance catch one’s eyes. In addition to this, the museum also has massive hanging bronze lamps called ‘Laaman Dive’. These lamps were hung from the roof with thick brass chains in the olden days. Now a days very few make use of such lamps. The hanging lamps present in the museum also have a traditional interlocking system which would help them to be dismantled.
The second gallery has a wooden ‘Kirtimukh’, bronze ‘aartis’ and also a brass plate dating to Shhake 1810 or 1888 AD, with ‘Shri Kalika Prasann’ written on it. Stone sculptures of Virgals and the deity Ravalnath are also on display. They may perhaps date to 14th–15th century AD.
One gallery displays the traditional musical instruments which were once played in the temple and now have become extinct. Instruments like the ‘Surt’, ‘Taaso’, ‘Tutaari’ or the ‘Shing’ are preserved here. The museum also has two big bronze bells. One of them was probably donated in 1898 AD by a particular Gopal Shet Nagvekar from Ribandar. No details are seen on the second bell.
This museum has created a great awareness in the minds of people as visitors coming here express to donate the various artifacts lying in their houses to this museum.
Mr Paresh Raikar of the temple committee appeals that if any person has such rare and ancient artifacts related to temples they could be handed over to this museum for preservation. This museum is a role model to other such institutions who strive to preserve our cultural heritage.
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