Netravali, a village of Sanguem taluka in South Goa is situated
inside the chain of Western Ghats mountains at the remotest corner of state has
the ancient temple of Gopinath with a sacred tank called Budbudyachi tali,
considered to be one of the wonders of nature.
This temple tank is the result of efforts made by the sons of soil
over centuries with a beautifully carved sculpture which is now at state museum
in Patto indicates that temple with old sculpture of Gopinath and sacred tank
was built by the rulers in association with the agriculturists.
Budbudyachi tali, is a wonderful tank since clapping with hands
oozes out bubbles and this is responsible for giving it name Budbudyachi tali.
The old idol of Gopinath was a master piece of the Goan
sculpture. Varad Sabnis, a lecturer in archaeology from Panjim told, “The old
Gopinath idol reveals the Hoyasala architecture style of 12-13 centuries. This
tank was built before the temple. Gopinath with a herd of cow represents deity
of postural communities.”
He further told, “Gopinath temple was built to accord protection
to the tank and for better management and utilisation of tank water resources.
As the tank was on the ways of Ghats going to Karnataka and Canacona the tank
water was quenching the thirst of people.”
This tank is known for its uniqueness and hence people call it
Budbudyachi tali. This wonder of nature is main source of attraction not only
for devotees but also for tourist coming to hinterland of Goa.
Pankaj Lad, a post graduate in Geology said, “It is not easy to
tell the reason behind the wonder of nature but most probably lime present in
the bed might be reacting with acidic water and Carbon Dioxide gas is evolving
out. So when someone claps bubbles comes out in a row.”
Though, the temple is dedicated to Gopinath a form of lord
Krishna, it is well known for the annual celebration of Mahashivratri. A large
crowd flocks to take holy dip inside Budbudyachi tali. Once, this tank was a
source of drinking water as well as providing irrigation facilities to
horticulture fields which are lying in the vicinity.
People regarded traditionally such types of tanks as a community
asset and maintained them properly. “The bed of sacred tank was generally
desilted during the dry months by the villagers. The silt was taken and dumped
near the fields to be spread as manure at the beginning of the agricultural
reason. Water of tank is distributed to the horticulturists. Farmers would keep
the irrigation channels clear of weeds and silt”, says Puti Gaonkar from
Bandhwada of Netravali.
The society living in the vicinity of Budbudyachi tali had a
series of folk beliefs which emphasise the value of water and accord sanctity
to its use. Water harvesting, distribution and its use were regulated by the
community. “It is strongly believed by the villagers that the water is supposed
to keep everyone’s life full of light and joy and hence to protect the
sacredness of this water, a tank was built with the laterite stones,” says
Damodar Gawali from Netravali.
He further adds, “Earlier, devotees used to take holy bath only
during Mahashivratri but now a day’s tourists are taking bath in the tank and
thereby polluting potable water with the soap and detergent.”
Budbudyachi tali, is the example of wisdom possessed by our
ancestors to harvest rainwater and conserve it for using the same for drinking
and domestic purposes along with catering needs of irrigation. The new cement,
concrete temples structure nearby to the sacred tank, using it for bathing and
swimming purposes and negligence to desilt annually have resulted in posing
threat to the sacredness and taste of the potable water. This wonder of nature
is needed to be protected for posterity.
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