Petroglyphs of Khotale

Khotale, a village of Malvan taluka came to light with the discovery of the petroglyphs showcasing the heritage of the hoary past. Since the last quarter century, many lateritic plateaus have been discovered with the petroglyphs from Goa and Konkan region that are displaying the floral and faunal diversity as well as the paleo-climatic condition.

Khotale sharing borders with Poyip, Hevale, Vayangvade villages, has the lateritic plateaus, where quarrying for bricks is in progress.

In this area, the discovery of the petroglyphs has come to light on account of the dedicated efforts of the well-known heritage and history lover Satish Lalit, a retired officer of the government of Maharashtra. His recent publication on the petroglyphs of the Konkan region has already brought to the light the richness of the archaeological heritage.

The petroglyphs have been discovered in many areas of Sindhudurg -Ratnagiri districts of Maharashtra and already some of the sites have been included in the tentative list of the UNESCO World Heritage sites which has added new feather in the glorious past of the land inherited since ages.

Khotale has the temples and shrines dedicated to Dirbaidevi, Ravalnath, Giroba, Mahapurush, Gangeshwar where various fairs and festivals are held annually and devotees throng in the big numbers. Village once was self -sufficient due to the agricultural and horticultural crops grown here and this helped them to live happily.

However, nowadays, some of the villagers have been involved in the quarrying of bricks along with the cashew and mango plantation. Like people of other areas of the Konkan, villagers of Khotale, were aware about very few petroglyphs that are locally known as the Vetalachi Pavala and of Mahapurush. However, when Satish Lalit along with his wife Dr. Saee visited the site of the petroglyphs, the uniqueness and heritage value of the art came to light.

A majority of the images etched on the rocky, flat hilltops were noticed by Bhago, Shyam Modak, the residents of Dhangarwadi No.2, who have been involved in goat rearing since the last 50 years.

Along with various terrestrial and aquatic animals, abstract patterns, geometrical reliefs, there are also fertility symbols that have been carved on the rock surface, the meaning of which is not known with confirmation.

One petroglyph that is near to Devachi tali, appears to be an image of Lajja Gauri, is indeed unique and in depth study will throw light on the folk religion prevailing in the area. Lack of material culture related with these petroglyphs, has thus far restrained us from arriving at any firm conclusion and also dating it also becomes cumbersome. Presently, these petroglyphs are at a huge risk of being lost or damaged from haphazard activities of laterite brick quarrying going in the vicinity.

There is an urgent need to take necessary steps for providing protection to this newly discovered archaeological heritage site of Khotale.
After reading the news article published in the daily Marathi Herald, along with Pournima Kerkar, Gajanan Shetye, Vitthal Shelke, Sanket Naik and Palavi Naik, visited Khotale on June 2, 2022. After spending more than three hours in the scorching sun on the plateau in the search of the petroglyphs, we relished the tasty vegetarian food served by Bharati Modak.

From Goa to Oras Highway, a road proceed to Hedul via Kasal, takes to Khotale.