Cortalim (pronounced ) is a village in
Morumugão,
Goa
Goa () is a state on the southwestern coast of India within the Konkan region, geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats. It is located between the Indian states of Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the ...
, India. Its native Goan population is entirely Catholic and their main occupations include fishing and agriculture. Located on the banks of the
Zuari River
The Zuari River ''Zuvari,'' pronounced )
is the largest river in the state of Goa, India. It is a tidal river which originates at Hemad-Barshem in the Western Ghats. The Zuari is also referred to as the Aghanashani in the interior regions. It flo ...
, it was previously known as Kushasthale.
The village is well known as the former site of an ancient temple dedicated to
Shiva
Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hindu ...
. There is also a cross commemorating the arrival of Christianity, together with St Philip and James Church. A new road bridge is being constructed at Cortalim as part of the elevated road scheme that connects South and North Goa. notable personality : indrayani Bhandare
Location
Cortalim is located roughly midway on the main route connecting
Panjim
Panaji (; also known as Panjim) is the capital of the Indian state of Goa and the headquarters of North Goa district. Previously, it was the territorial capital of the former Portuguese India. It lies on the banks of the Mandovi river estuary ...
to
Margao
Margao or Madgaon is the commercial capital of the Indian state of Goa. It stands on banks of the Sal river and is the administrative headquarters of Salcete sub-district and South Goa district. It is Goa's second largest city by population aft ...
and
Vasco (
National Highway 17
Route 17, or Highway 17 can refer to the following roads:
For the roads named "A17", see list of A17 roads.
International
* European route E17
* European route E017
Australia
* Brisbane Valley Highway, Queensland
* D'Aguilar Highway, Queensla ...
). It is located 16 kilometres to the south of Panjim, 17 kilometres to the north of Margao and 8 kilometres from Mormugao.
History
The current local name for the village, Kutthalle, is derived from the previous name Kushasthale (''place where holy grass is grown for ritual sacrifice''), also attributed to
Krishna
Krishna (; sa, कृष्ण ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme god in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is one ...
's birthplace,
Dwarka
Dwarka () is a city and a municipality of Devbhumi Dwarka district in the state of Gujarat in Western India. It is located on the western shore of the Okhamandal Peninsula on the right bank of the Gomti river at the mouth of the Gulf of Kut ...
. During the Portuguese era, the village was a part of the taluka of
Salcete
Salcete ( Konkani: ''Saxtti''/''Xaxtti''; pt, Salcette) is a sub-division of the district of South Goa, in the state of Goa, situated by the west coast of India.
The Sal river and its backwaters dominate the landscape of Salcete. Hist ...
. In 1543, it became the first Goan village where Christianity was officially introduced. On 1 May 1560, the first
Holy Mass
The Mass is the central liturgical service of the Eucharist in the Catholic Church, in which bread and wine are consecrated and become the body and blood of Christ. As defined by the Church at the Council of Trent, in the Mass, "the same Christ ...
was conducted here by
Fr Pedro Mascarenhas, a
Jesuit
, image = Ihs-logo.svg
, image_size = 175px
, caption = ChristogramOfficial seal of the Jesuits
, abbreviation = SJ
, nickname = Jesuits
, formation =
, founders ...
priest.
Before the
Portuguese conquest of Goa
The Portuguese conquest of Goa occurred when the governor Afonso de Albuquerque captured the city in 1510 from the Adil Shahis. Goa became the capital of the Portuguese State of India which included possessions such as Fort Manuel, the territ ...
, Cortalim village was also the site of the Mangueshi temple, dedicated to a form of Shiva. During the demolition of temples across Salcete ordered by the Viceroy
António de Noronha :''not to be confused with António José Severim de Noronha, 1st Duke of Terceira''
D. Antão de Noronha was appointed in 1564 under Sebastian of Portugal as vice-roy of India. Previously, he had been captain at Hormuz in the 1550s and served at ...
, a local Brahmin gotra emigrated with the idol to its
current location
Currents, Current or The Current may refer to:
Science and technology
* Current (fluid), the flow of a liquid or a gas
** Air current, a flow of air
** Ocean current, a current in the ocean
*** Rip current, a kind of water current
** Current (stre ...
in
Priol
Priol is a village in central Goa, in western India.
It is situated in Ponda Taluka, north of the city of Ponda. The Mangueshi Temple is located northwest of the village. From Mardol, Priol is around 2 km, Mardol is on Panaji-Ponda highway ...
,
Ponda.
Novo Palmar, Thana, Nauta, Consua, 1st Arvalle, 2nd Arvalle, Zomboll, Chovoth, Vollant, Igorje Vaddo, Bondir, Maddant, Panzentar, Chaudi, Sotrant, Gallio, Almabhat, Dumiabhatt and Virabhat are the various ''wadde'' (wards) of the village.
Demographics
According to the
2011 Census, Cortalim has a population of 9080 people, with 25% belonging to the
Scheduled tribes
The Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) are officially designated groups of people and among the most disadvantaged socio-economic groups in India. The terms are recognized in the Constitution of India and the groups are designa ...
.
Government and politics
Cortalim is part of
Cortalim (Goa Assembly constituency) and
South Goa (Lok Sabha constituency)
South Goa Lok Sabha constituency (Mormugao prior to 2008) is one of two Lok Sabha (parliamentary) constituencies in Goa in western India along with North Goa.
Assembly segments
Presently, South Goa Lok Sabha constituency comprises 20 Vidhan S ...
.
Historical Attractions
* Foodgrain godowns: During Portuguese rule, these godowns on the banks of the
Zuari river
The Zuari River ''Zuvari,'' pronounced )
is the largest river in the state of Goa, India. It is a tidal river which originates at Hemad-Barshem in the Western Ghats. The Zuari is also referred to as the Aghanashani in the interior regions. It flo ...
were used by the Portuguese Board of External Trade (''
Commercio Junta Externo'') to store foodgrains.
* St Philip and St James Church: Built in 1566, it is one of Goa's oldest churches.
* Chapel of Sacred Heart of Jesus: Situated in Manxer, it hosted Salcete's first Mass in 1560.
* Colaços' ancestral house: This 180-year-old building now lies in ruins.
* ''Kolvontachem Tollem'': Literally translating to "lake of the temple dancers", this lake was the bathing site for the dancers of the original Mangueshi temple and is now in ruins.
References
External links
* {{commons category-inline, Cortalim
Villages in South Goa district