Kudne Jain temple-is a 'Protected Site' or a 'Neglected Site'?

by ROHIT R PHALGAONKAR
Posted on 2008-11-06
The talukas of Goa are cultural and heritage treasure troves that would interest archaeologists, anthropologists, heritage lovers and historians. Though there are people of different faiths staying in Goa today, few of us even know that there were early Buddhists and Jain settlements in this region too.
The Kadamb dynasty's rule is said to be the 'Suvarn Kaal' (Golden Period) of Goa. The city of Gopak (part of ancient Goa) flourished during the reign of the 11th century Kadamb king Jaikeshi I. Trade and commerce had reached its zenith in Goa during his tenure. New trade relations were established with countries as far as Sri Lanka, Kuwait etc. Goa even traded with states like Gujarat and Bengal. Probably during his period many Gujrati traders settled down in Goa thus introducing new cultural and religious trends in Goa’s soil. Though the Kadambs were followers of Hinduism, they also allowed Jainism to flourish in their state. Later, during the Vijaynagar period i.e. during the 15th Century, grants were also given to build Jain Basti (Jain Settlements) at Ponda by the kings of Vijaynagar.
The Jain traders built Jain temples near their settlements. Since most of them hailed from Gujrat the word Gujir is associated with the names of places wherever the Jain vestiges are found today. Names of places like Gujraa Devul or Jainaa Devul at Bandoda in Ponda or Gujir waado or Gujraan at Kudne in Bicholim or ‘Gujraa Bhaat’ in Santan near Goa Velha corroborate that most of Gujrati traders were followers of Jainism. Jain relics have been found in the first two above mentioned places.
Presently, three historic Jain sites have been identified in Goa. Two are located in the Bicholim taluka and one in the Ponda taluka. The partly surviving Jain Basti in Bandoda is the only vestige of Jainism in Ponda. In Bicholim taluka one can find relics of an old Jain temple lying uncared for in an area called Jainkot at Narve.
Another Jain remnant found in Goa is the Jain temple in the village of Kudne in Bicholim taluka. The copper plate of King Mangalesh of the Badami Chaluky dynasty makes a mention of a village named ‘Kundivaatak’ which was part of ‘Konkan Vishay’. ‘Kundivaatak’ is identified with today’s Kudne. The temple lies near an area called Gujir Vaado at Kudne. The name itself suggests that the Kudne village was a settlement zone of the Gujrati traders in Goa once upon a time.
The temple was entirely built of laterite stone. It has a North Indian styled Shikhar. Only the sanctum sanctorum survives today. Three niches are seen along the periphery of the walls of the sanctum sanctorum. The roof of Sabhaamandap appears to have been supported by six rectangular pillars as pillar bases can be still seen. Mouldings and the side-lining the plinth are note worthy.
The historic significance of this Jain temple was first brought to light by Commissao Permanente de Arquelogia in the 1930’s by Dr Pandurang Pissurlekar and the other members of the Commission. It is the nineteenth site figuring out on the list of ‘Notified Sites’ of Schedule I in the byelaws of Department of Archives and Archaeology, Goa State. It is listed as ‘Site of Gujir’ in the said byelaws.
Though it is declared as "Protected Site" by the Department of Archives and Archaeology of Goa the site lies in a ruined state today. The place is covered by a thick cover of Parthenium weeds. The only surviving unique Shikhar of the temple has peepal trees growing all over. There is an old signage of the Department of Archives & Archaeology showing the direction to lead to the site. But in reality there is no access to the site. A fencing of dry thorny shrubs has been put to block the entrance to the site. The site can be approached only after hopping over a compound wall from the neighbouring property.
The locals of Kudne express their deep concern over the neglected condition of the site. With an exception of a two or three sites, majority of the so called ‘Protected Sites’ of Department of Archives and Archaeology Goa State lie neglected.
One fails to understand why these sites are in such sorry state of affairs inspite of Government notifying these sites as ‘Protected Sites’ with the aim of conserving them for posterity.
There is an urgent need to Goa’s archaeological sites. Mere documentation of these sites may not help in the long run if archaeological evidences cease to exist.