Kavale Explained

Kavale
Settlement Type:village
Pushpin Map:India Goa#India
Pushpin Label Position:right
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Goa, India
Coordinates:15.3963°N 73.9856°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: India
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Goa
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:North Goa
Unit Pref:Metric
Population Density Km2:auto
Demographics Type1:Languages
Demographics1 Title1:Official
Demographics1 Info1:Konkani
Timezone1:IST
Utc Offset1:+5:30
Postal Code Type:PIN
Postal Code:403408
Registration Plate:GA
Blank2 Name Sec1:Nearest city
Blank2 Info Sec1:Ponda

Kavale or Kavalem is a village in Ponda taluk, in the Indian state of Goa. Kavle/Kawale/Kawle are other variations for the same name.

Main Attraction

Situated at the foothill of Kavalem, the Shantadurga Temple boasts of a huge tank, a Dipa Stambha and Agrashalas. The current temple was constructed during the reign of the Maratha Empire ruler Chattrapati Shahu Maharaj of Satara during the period from 1713 AD to 1738 AD. Naroram Rege Mantri originally from Kochara village in the Vengurla Taluka,(Konkan) was a Mantri (Minister) in Chattrapati Shahu Maharaj Ashtapradhan Mandal at Satara (Grandson of Chh.Shivaji Maharaj). Due to his efforts, the village of Kavalem was bequeathed to the Temple by Shrimant Baji Rao I Peshwa in 1738–39.

The temples of Shree Shantadurga at Kavale and Shree Manguesh located at Mangeshi Village, two of the most revered patron deities of the GSB community in Goa. The Managing Committee has banned tourists.

History

The original site of Shri Shantadurga temple is Kardelivana of Quelossim (Keloshi) in mormugao Taluka. To avoid the increasing Portuguese missionary activities in Goa, the GSB community was afraid for the safety of the temples and idols. Hence, the families worshipping Shree Shantadurga and Shree Manguesh, on a moonless night, leaving their homes and hearths crossed over the Zuari River to a safer region which was under the rule of the Muslim King Adilshah. They finally installed the deity at Kavale village known then as Kapilpura or Kaivalyapura in the Antruj Taluka (Present day Ponda).

The territory of Ponda was not under Portuguese rule in the 16th century and hence was seen as a haven by the Hindus fleeing persecution by the Jesuits and Portuguese. The forests of Ponda were ideal places for Hindus to form makeshift temples with the Idols they had salvaged from the broken temples of Sashti (Salcete).

Reaching Kavale Village

By train

By road

See also