ARCHITECTURE of Goa | Goa State PSC (GPSC) Preparation - GPSC (Goa) PDF Download

 Page 1


ARCHITECTURE.  
References to Brahminical shrines which included Saivite 
as well as Vaisnavite have been al6a,made. These Shrines are 
mostly Saivite caves. In Goa during c. 600 - 700 A.D. Buddhist 
also started utilising rock cut caves for their religious 
activity. 1  The rock cut architectural activity continued even 
during c. 1100 - 1200 A.D. and these rock cut caves were 
excavated by NUth-panthis. 2  It is proposed to discuss the 
architecture which include rock-cut caves, temples, memorial 
monuments and(load-rests )utilitarian monuments . 
Recently geomorphic investigations carried out with the 
help of the photo-geomorphic studies have revealed that 
laterite covered about one third of Zuari and Mandovi basin 
areas and unevenly distributed with respect to altitude and 
space. 3  As regard the entire area of Goa it may be stated that 
2/3 is covered with laterite. Therefore, locally available 
laterite hillocks were used scooping the caves. The earliest 
references to rock-cut caves of Goa are available in the 
writings of Lopes Mendes published during the latter part of 
the last century. He has mentioned the caves of Aravalem and 
Aquem at Lamgaon with the lime drawings of the above rock-cut 
caves. The tradition of associating rock-cut caves with 
Pandavas was also prevalent in Goa else where. This Portuguese 
Page 2


ARCHITECTURE.  
References to Brahminical shrines which included Saivite 
as well as Vaisnavite have been al6a,made. These Shrines are 
mostly Saivite caves. In Goa during c. 600 - 700 A.D. Buddhist 
also started utilising rock cut caves for their religious 
activity. 1  The rock cut architectural activity continued even 
during c. 1100 - 1200 A.D. and these rock cut caves were 
excavated by NUth-panthis. 2  It is proposed to discuss the 
architecture which include rock-cut caves, temples, memorial 
monuments and(load-rests )utilitarian monuments . 
Recently geomorphic investigations carried out with the 
help of the photo-geomorphic studies have revealed that 
laterite covered about one third of Zuari and Mandovi basin 
areas and unevenly distributed with respect to altitude and 
space. 3  As regard the entire area of Goa it may be stated that 
2/3 is covered with laterite. Therefore, locally available 
laterite hillocks were used scooping the caves. The earliest 
references to rock-cut caves of Goa are available in the 
writings of Lopes Mendes published during the latter part of 
the last century. He has mentioned the caves of Aravalem and 
Aquem at Lamgaon with the lime drawings of the above rock-cut 
caves. The tradition of associating rock-cut caves with 
Pandavas was also prevalent in Goa else where. This Portuguese 
surveyor has mentioned that people called Aravalem caves as 
the caves of Pandavas (Pandavache Houri). He accurately 
measure rock-cut caves referred to above and has furnished the 
details of the measurements but he did not study the caves on 
stylistic basis. 4  He was not aware of the work being done by 
English scholars James Fergusson and Burgess in India during 
the same period. 5  
Varde Valavlikar mentions Rivona, Lamgaon and Aravalem 
caves. He was the first to mention one line inscription found 
on the linga having solar disc aniconically representing Surya 
(Sun). In addition to the above caves he mentioned the caves 
of Reddi which are very close to northern border of Goa. 6 
 References to the caves arc found in the writings of Heras, 7 
 In later works like South Indian temples, 8  Personality of  
temples and Rock-cut caves of Deccan.` However, the credit of 
making systematic survey goes to Sail who explored Goa region 
in 1964 and discovered five more rock cut caves namely Narve, 
Surla tar, Kat-anzalem, Pissurlem and Sonal." One more rock-
cut cave of Dabosi was added by Settar and Rajashekhar of 
Karnataka University in 1978. 11  Mitterwallner has mentioned 
four rock-cut caves which were not known to earlier scholars 
and these arc namely Kundai, Adkon, Divar and Pilar.I 2  The 
rock cut caves of Surla tar is mentioned in the Cultural  
History of Goa from 10000 B. C. to 1352 A. D.1.3 
Page 3


ARCHITECTURE.  
References to Brahminical shrines which included Saivite 
as well as Vaisnavite have been al6a,made. These Shrines are 
mostly Saivite caves. In Goa during c. 600 - 700 A.D. Buddhist 
also started utilising rock cut caves for their religious 
activity. 1  The rock cut architectural activity continued even 
during c. 1100 - 1200 A.D. and these rock cut caves were 
excavated by NUth-panthis. 2  It is proposed to discuss the 
architecture which include rock-cut caves, temples, memorial 
monuments and(load-rests )utilitarian monuments . 
Recently geomorphic investigations carried out with the 
help of the photo-geomorphic studies have revealed that 
laterite covered about one third of Zuari and Mandovi basin 
areas and unevenly distributed with respect to altitude and 
space. 3  As regard the entire area of Goa it may be stated that 
2/3 is covered with laterite. Therefore, locally available 
laterite hillocks were used scooping the caves. The earliest 
references to rock-cut caves of Goa are available in the 
writings of Lopes Mendes published during the latter part of 
the last century. He has mentioned the caves of Aravalem and 
Aquem at Lamgaon with the lime drawings of the above rock-cut 
caves. The tradition of associating rock-cut caves with 
Pandavas was also prevalent in Goa else where. This Portuguese 
surveyor has mentioned that people called Aravalem caves as 
the caves of Pandavas (Pandavache Houri). He accurately 
measure rock-cut caves referred to above and has furnished the 
details of the measurements but he did not study the caves on 
stylistic basis. 4  He was not aware of the work being done by 
English scholars James Fergusson and Burgess in India during 
the same period. 5  
Varde Valavlikar mentions Rivona, Lamgaon and Aravalem 
caves. He was the first to mention one line inscription found 
on the linga having solar disc aniconically representing Surya 
(Sun). In addition to the above caves he mentioned the caves 
of Reddi which are very close to northern border of Goa. 6 
 References to the caves arc found in the writings of Heras, 7 
 In later works like South Indian temples, 8  Personality of  
temples and Rock-cut caves of Deccan.` However, the credit of 
making systematic survey goes to Sail who explored Goa region 
in 1964 and discovered five more rock cut caves namely Narve, 
Surla tar, Kat-anzalem, Pissurlem and Sonal." One more rock-
cut cave of Dabosi was added by Settar and Rajashekhar of 
Karnataka University in 1978. 11  Mitterwallner has mentioned 
four rock-cut caves which were not known to earlier scholars 
and these arc namely Kundai, Adkon, Divar and Pilar.I 2  The 
rock cut caves of Surla tar is mentioned in the Cultural  
History of Goa from 10000 B. C. to 1352 A. D.1.3 
Single-Celled caves.  
In Consua (Mormugao) (Plan No. 1), Dabosi (Plan No. 
3), Sonal (Plan No. 2) and Karanzol (all three villages in 
Sateri), the single cell caves have been found. In the section 
on the evolution of the linga in chapter VIII, it has been 
already mentioned that linga of Consua is one of the earliest 
lingas. 14 
 From this it is evident that rock-cut shrine of 
A  
Consua was excavated in c.4000 A.D. It is probably the 
earliest series of single celled caves in Goa. 
At sonal village in the property of Shri Jaysingrao Rane, 
a single-cave without pillars and verandha is located. This 
single cell measures 78.5 meters in width and .41 meters in 
depth. The height of the cave is 1.41 meters. This cubicle is 
not provided with steps for entering the cave. Dabosi is about 
5 kms away from Valpoi on the way to Sonal. A kachha road in 
the right hand side connects Dabosi. At a short distance from 
the village the single rock-cut cave is located. There is yet 
another rock-cut cave at Karanzol on the bank of Mahadai 
river. The rock-cut cave of Karanzol is decorated with 
shikhara motif. These small rock-cut caves were not meant for 
meditation or habitation. These were way side shrines.
15  Icons 
were housed in these above niche like caves. The devotees 
offered worship by standing outside such small shrines 
excavated on the single boulders and these have been reported 
from Kerala also. Therefore the above mentioned small rock-cut 
Page 4


ARCHITECTURE.  
References to Brahminical shrines which included Saivite 
as well as Vaisnavite have been al6a,made. These Shrines are 
mostly Saivite caves. In Goa during c. 600 - 700 A.D. Buddhist 
also started utilising rock cut caves for their religious 
activity. 1  The rock cut architectural activity continued even 
during c. 1100 - 1200 A.D. and these rock cut caves were 
excavated by NUth-panthis. 2  It is proposed to discuss the 
architecture which include rock-cut caves, temples, memorial 
monuments and(load-rests )utilitarian monuments . 
Recently geomorphic investigations carried out with the 
help of the photo-geomorphic studies have revealed that 
laterite covered about one third of Zuari and Mandovi basin 
areas and unevenly distributed with respect to altitude and 
space. 3  As regard the entire area of Goa it may be stated that 
2/3 is covered with laterite. Therefore, locally available 
laterite hillocks were used scooping the caves. The earliest 
references to rock-cut caves of Goa are available in the 
writings of Lopes Mendes published during the latter part of 
the last century. He has mentioned the caves of Aravalem and 
Aquem at Lamgaon with the lime drawings of the above rock-cut 
caves. The tradition of associating rock-cut caves with 
Pandavas was also prevalent in Goa else where. This Portuguese 
surveyor has mentioned that people called Aravalem caves as 
the caves of Pandavas (Pandavache Houri). He accurately 
measure rock-cut caves referred to above and has furnished the 
details of the measurements but he did not study the caves on 
stylistic basis. 4  He was not aware of the work being done by 
English scholars James Fergusson and Burgess in India during 
the same period. 5  
Varde Valavlikar mentions Rivona, Lamgaon and Aravalem 
caves. He was the first to mention one line inscription found 
on the linga having solar disc aniconically representing Surya 
(Sun). In addition to the above caves he mentioned the caves 
of Reddi which are very close to northern border of Goa. 6 
 References to the caves arc found in the writings of Heras, 7 
 In later works like South Indian temples, 8  Personality of  
temples and Rock-cut caves of Deccan.` However, the credit of 
making systematic survey goes to Sail who explored Goa region 
in 1964 and discovered five more rock cut caves namely Narve, 
Surla tar, Kat-anzalem, Pissurlem and Sonal." One more rock-
cut cave of Dabosi was added by Settar and Rajashekhar of 
Karnataka University in 1978. 11  Mitterwallner has mentioned 
four rock-cut caves which were not known to earlier scholars 
and these arc namely Kundai, Adkon, Divar and Pilar.I 2  The 
rock cut caves of Surla tar is mentioned in the Cultural  
History of Goa from 10000 B. C. to 1352 A. D.1.3 
Single-Celled caves.  
In Consua (Mormugao) (Plan No. 1), Dabosi (Plan No. 
3), Sonal (Plan No. 2) and Karanzol (all three villages in 
Sateri), the single cell caves have been found. In the section 
on the evolution of the linga in chapter VIII, it has been 
already mentioned that linga of Consua is one of the earliest 
lingas. 14 
 From this it is evident that rock-cut shrine of 
A  
Consua was excavated in c.4000 A.D. It is probably the 
earliest series of single celled caves in Goa. 
At sonal village in the property of Shri Jaysingrao Rane, 
a single-cave without pillars and verandha is located. This 
single cell measures 78.5 meters in width and .41 meters in 
depth. The height of the cave is 1.41 meters. This cubicle is 
not provided with steps for entering the cave. Dabosi is about 
5 kms away from Valpoi on the way to Sonal. A kachha road in 
the right hand side connects Dabosi. At a short distance from 
the village the single rock-cut cave is located. There is yet 
another rock-cut cave at Karanzol on the bank of Mahadai 
river. The rock-cut cave of Karanzol is decorated with 
shikhara motif. These small rock-cut caves were not meant for 
meditation or habitation. These were way side shrines.
15  Icons 
were housed in these above niche like caves. The devotees 
offered worship by standing outside such small shrines 
excavated on the single boulders and these have been reported 
from Kerala also. Therefore the above mentioned small rock-cut 
cubicles (cells) were way-side shrines of Goa." Though the 
caves of Mangeshi is of a single cell, it had on each side 
similar cubicles. These adjacent cubicles were demolished 
while widening the road. 17  Moreover, it has square yoni pitha  
and the linga  is missing. 
It has been suggested that architecture activity of 
Brahminical caves (these caves have been called (Siv-51ayas) 
 began in Goa and these simple caves provided the first models 
between 400-500 A.D. Goa- caves establish a link between 
Buddhist caves in north and the Chalukyan caves in south east 
Deccan. The rock-cut caves of Goa are located in midway in 
space and time. These rock-cut caves of Goa reveal the 
developments that took place between the fall of Satvahanas 
and the rise of Kadambas, Chalukyas and also mark the 
transition from Buddhist to Hinduism. 18  Only on the basis of 
the above referred rock-cut caves the single-cubicles and 
Aravalem caves the above dates were suggested. The plan of the 
simple rock-cut caves of Goa reveal that these are not 
providing any evolutionary evidence in the rock-cut 
architecture from north Konkan caves to Chalukyas of Badami. 
Therefore, the above statement seems to be too sweeping. 
However, these are the earliest Brahminical caves. Hence the 
statement of Coomarswamy that Brahmans did not begin to 
excavate shrines whether underground or monolithic much before 
sixth century has lost it validity.19 
Page 5


ARCHITECTURE.  
References to Brahminical shrines which included Saivite 
as well as Vaisnavite have been al6a,made. These Shrines are 
mostly Saivite caves. In Goa during c. 600 - 700 A.D. Buddhist 
also started utilising rock cut caves for their religious 
activity. 1  The rock cut architectural activity continued even 
during c. 1100 - 1200 A.D. and these rock cut caves were 
excavated by NUth-panthis. 2  It is proposed to discuss the 
architecture which include rock-cut caves, temples, memorial 
monuments and(load-rests )utilitarian monuments . 
Recently geomorphic investigations carried out with the 
help of the photo-geomorphic studies have revealed that 
laterite covered about one third of Zuari and Mandovi basin 
areas and unevenly distributed with respect to altitude and 
space. 3  As regard the entire area of Goa it may be stated that 
2/3 is covered with laterite. Therefore, locally available 
laterite hillocks were used scooping the caves. The earliest 
references to rock-cut caves of Goa are available in the 
writings of Lopes Mendes published during the latter part of 
the last century. He has mentioned the caves of Aravalem and 
Aquem at Lamgaon with the lime drawings of the above rock-cut 
caves. The tradition of associating rock-cut caves with 
Pandavas was also prevalent in Goa else where. This Portuguese 
surveyor has mentioned that people called Aravalem caves as 
the caves of Pandavas (Pandavache Houri). He accurately 
measure rock-cut caves referred to above and has furnished the 
details of the measurements but he did not study the caves on 
stylistic basis. 4  He was not aware of the work being done by 
English scholars James Fergusson and Burgess in India during 
the same period. 5  
Varde Valavlikar mentions Rivona, Lamgaon and Aravalem 
caves. He was the first to mention one line inscription found 
on the linga having solar disc aniconically representing Surya 
(Sun). In addition to the above caves he mentioned the caves 
of Reddi which are very close to northern border of Goa. 6 
 References to the caves arc found in the writings of Heras, 7 
 In later works like South Indian temples, 8  Personality of  
temples and Rock-cut caves of Deccan.` However, the credit of 
making systematic survey goes to Sail who explored Goa region 
in 1964 and discovered five more rock cut caves namely Narve, 
Surla tar, Kat-anzalem, Pissurlem and Sonal." One more rock-
cut cave of Dabosi was added by Settar and Rajashekhar of 
Karnataka University in 1978. 11  Mitterwallner has mentioned 
four rock-cut caves which were not known to earlier scholars 
and these arc namely Kundai, Adkon, Divar and Pilar.I 2  The 
rock cut caves of Surla tar is mentioned in the Cultural  
History of Goa from 10000 B. C. to 1352 A. D.1.3 
Single-Celled caves.  
In Consua (Mormugao) (Plan No. 1), Dabosi (Plan No. 
3), Sonal (Plan No. 2) and Karanzol (all three villages in 
Sateri), the single cell caves have been found. In the section 
on the evolution of the linga in chapter VIII, it has been 
already mentioned that linga of Consua is one of the earliest 
lingas. 14 
 From this it is evident that rock-cut shrine of 
A  
Consua was excavated in c.4000 A.D. It is probably the 
earliest series of single celled caves in Goa. 
At sonal village in the property of Shri Jaysingrao Rane, 
a single-cave without pillars and verandha is located. This 
single cell measures 78.5 meters in width and .41 meters in 
depth. The height of the cave is 1.41 meters. This cubicle is 
not provided with steps for entering the cave. Dabosi is about 
5 kms away from Valpoi on the way to Sonal. A kachha road in 
the right hand side connects Dabosi. At a short distance from 
the village the single rock-cut cave is located. There is yet 
another rock-cut cave at Karanzol on the bank of Mahadai 
river. The rock-cut cave of Karanzol is decorated with 
shikhara motif. These small rock-cut caves were not meant for 
meditation or habitation. These were way side shrines.
15  Icons 
were housed in these above niche like caves. The devotees 
offered worship by standing outside such small shrines 
excavated on the single boulders and these have been reported 
from Kerala also. Therefore the above mentioned small rock-cut 
cubicles (cells) were way-side shrines of Goa." Though the 
caves of Mangeshi is of a single cell, it had on each side 
similar cubicles. These adjacent cubicles were demolished 
while widening the road. 17  Moreover, it has square yoni pitha  
and the linga  is missing. 
It has been suggested that architecture activity of 
Brahminical caves (these caves have been called (Siv-51ayas) 
 began in Goa and these simple caves provided the first models 
between 400-500 A.D. Goa- caves establish a link between 
Buddhist caves in north and the Chalukyan caves in south east 
Deccan. The rock-cut caves of Goa are located in midway in 
space and time. These rock-cut caves of Goa reveal the 
developments that took place between the fall of Satvahanas 
and the rise of Kadambas, Chalukyas and also mark the 
transition from Buddhist to Hinduism. 18  Only on the basis of 
the above referred rock-cut caves the single-cubicles and 
Aravalem caves the above dates were suggested. The plan of the 
simple rock-cut caves of Goa reveal that these are not 
providing any evolutionary evidence in the rock-cut 
architecture from north Konkan caves to Chalukyas of Badami. 
Therefore, the above statement seems to be too sweeping. 
However, these are the earliest Brahminical caves. Hence the 
statement of Coomarswamy that Brahmans did not begin to 
excavate shrines whether underground or monolithic much before 
sixth century has lost it validity.19 
Inscriptions found in Aravalem caves or copper plates do 
not refer to the dynasties which were responsible for the 
excavation of the caves. Konkan Mauryas or the Bhojas had 
ruled Goa during the period and by them some of the caves 
might have been excavated. Konkan Mauryas ruled Goa during c. 
500 - 700 A.D. The first ruler of Mauryas known in this 
region is Chandravarman of Sivapura (Goa) copper plate. 2°  This 
copper plate refers to donation made to Buddhist Vihara and is 
dated on palaeographic grounds c. 500 A.D. However, Bandora 
plates of Anir:)jitavarman (6th or 7th century) refers to the 
gifts made to Brahmins. 21  Therefore, those copper plates 
indicate that Konkan Mauryas did not patronise only Buddhism 
but they were tolerant towards Hinduism also. It may be argued 
that like Konkan Mauryas of Gharapuri the Konkan Maurya rulers 
of Goa might have excavated some Saivite caves of Goa. 22  
Like Konkan Mauryas the Bhojas were patrons of Buddhism 
as well as Hinduism. It has been already mentioned that the 
cave of Consua is ascribed to c. 400 A.D. Siroda copper plate 
of Devaraja mentions gifts made to Indraswami and 
Govindaswami. The copper plate is plaeographically dated to c. 
400 A.D. 23  These two Brahmins got the gift perhaps for the 
worship of the shrine of Consua of the rock-cut cave. Recently 
on the basis of the identification of the place names 
mentioned in Hiregutti copper, plate of Asantikavarman dated c. 
500 A.D., it has been suggested that the above king made