Santa Cruz, Goa
Encyclopedia
Santa Cruz or Calaphur is a village-suburb of the Goa
n state capital of Panaji (also Panjim or Ponjje).
village is to its west, Bambolim
to its south and Taleigao to its east, as shown in the map . This village is sub-divided into 11 wards, each of which has its own individuality within the village.
The Catholics celebrate the main village festival, the Holy Cross feast which falls on the Sunday between 2nd and 8th of May every year; also we have the Immaculate Conception feast which takes place on the 4th Sunday of every January. Both these feasts are preceded by a 'novena', special church services run for a period of 9 days in the local church. Then we have the yearly harvest festival which is held on the 24th of August, a popular festival full of pomp where the church priest blesses the new crop produced. The Hindus have their very own Palki festival. It is amazing how people of different religions do give importance to each other's festivals and exchange greetings, specially during the Hindu Diwalli ( festival of lights ) and Shigmo and Christmas and Easter. It is not unusual to see a Christmas tree in an Hindu house during Christmas
and flashing lights in Catholic houses during Diwali
! That is the spirit of this great village of sunny Goa.
Important monuments of Santa Cruz are the Santa Cruz church, St. Anthony chapel, the Shanta Durga temple and Almacho Khuris. Education is catered by the Santa Cruz Church HS, New English HS, the primary school and the Froebel School. Important architectural landmarks reminiscent of the Portuguese style are the Dempo House, the Pinto House, the Kenkre house and the magnificent Nachinolkar house. A characteristic of this style is the existence of large frontal balconies with 'moulded' seats either made up of stone or brickwork, where people could seat comfortably at the end of the day and chat away the events of the day with all family members. However, nowadays, majority of the buildings constructed are just high rise and 'box' type flats but these still have their modern balconies made up of concrete.
The government tries to help its poor and underprivileged residents by way of cheaper housing and welfare schemes. Self employment is always encouraged but in reality it is rarely seen in action. The village subsides economically on paddy rice cultivation, cashew and coconut plantations, livestock and building construction. The village does not have any major industrial factories, although one of the foremost industrial family houses from Goa, the Dempos are from Santa Cruz. Many residents of Santa Cruz have migrated overseas but these are always in touch with the current developments of their ancestral land.
The village is famous for sports and culture too. Crown Club of Santa Cruz has excelled over the years both in football and volleyball as well as in athletics and body building competitions. Many players who have started as amateurs, have nowadays achieved a lot in their careers, thanks to the club's glory as well as the ever supporting public who will make sure they attend any match in large numbers. Music is also one of the best know cultural fortes of the village. In mando
competitions (mando is a traditional love song sung during weddings in old days but today is respected as an important cultural heritage ) the village normally contributes with many groups in different categories.The late Maestro Jose Santana Cota was a genius in music and many of his students have prospered not only in India, but also overseas.
The original name of the Santa Cruz village is a very debatable topic and till today, no one knows for sure how its Calapor name was acquired. However, an interesting anecdote became very popular and for some, this is the 'official' acceptable explanation for this mystery:
Once, the villagers of Santa Cruz and Taleigao
, a neighbouring village, entered into a dispute as regards to the exact boundary between both lands, the later accusing the former of encroaching into their territory. So both had agreed that they should consult an oracle on a certain day and get the solution to the problem. These days, one would sprinkle a mixture of cooked rice with the blood of a cock on the set lines between villages, amidst dancing and and beating the 'gumot' (a bongo
like instrument).
Prior to the event the villagers of Calapor went to the spot they wanted to mark as the boundary, and dug a hole there. Then they lowered a coffin with a live man in it and, after smartly placing back the earth fill over it, they had provided a vent pipe for the man to breath. So when the moment arrived, both village leaders implored the oracle to answer their prayer. Bowing down in abeyance to Mother Earth, they waited patiently for the occult decision. A long silence prevailed. They kept repeating "To whom does this land belong?". And from the depths of the earth a faint voice replied: "Calapor! Calapor! Calapor!" to the joy and exultation of the Calaporkars. Sadly and frustrated, the Talaleigaokars accepted the verdict and went home. Everyone in Calapor made merry the whole night - and totally forgot the poor man inside the coffin! They returned the next day to the spot to dig up the coffin, only to find that the poor man had already died. In the coffin they found only crawling worms. As a symbol of self punishment, so the story goes, each man took a worm and placed it in his hip belt (this coined the term 'bendecho kiddo' or 'hip worm'). On that very spot, tradition says, stands 'Almacho Khuris' (Holy Cross) - the cross that has been marking the boundary after Christianity replaced traditional symbols.
Goa Assembly
, and is currently (2006) represented by Congress
politician Mrs Victoria Fernandes.
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
n state capital of Panaji (also Panjim or Ponjje).
Basics
Santa Cruz (Santa = holy and Cruz = Cross in Portuguese) is the largest village in Goa with a population of 21,000 people all from different religions and also from different parts of India. Geographically, it is situated in the North Goa district and it is bounded northwards with Panjim, the capital city of the state of Goa, its other neighbours being the MercesMercês
Mercês is a Brazilian municipality located in the state of Minas Gerais. The city belongs to the mesoregion of Zona da Mata and to the microregion of Ubá....
village is to its west, Bambolim
Bambolim
Bambolim is a census town in North Goa district in the state of Goa, India. The only allopathic medical college in the state of Goa, Goa Medical College, is located here.-Geography:...
to its south and Taleigao to its east, as shown in the map . This village is sub-divided into 11 wards, each of which has its own individuality within the village.
Santa Cruz Village Origins
The origins of Santa Cruz date back much before the first millennium (some theories even say a few millennia BC) and this is supported by highly documented historical records, written in different languages and by different people who lived in the village in different periods of time. In fact, its original name morphed over the years and these were Calapor (cir. 1042 AD), Kalapur (cir. 1042 AD) and Kalafura, names by which this illustrious village is known for even today. Over the years the village has grown in size and many new modern buildings have sprung up, making it an architectural mixture of new, modern buildings and old fashioned houses amongst these.The Catholics celebrate the main village festival, the Holy Cross feast which falls on the Sunday between 2nd and 8th of May every year; also we have the Immaculate Conception feast which takes place on the 4th Sunday of every January. Both these feasts are preceded by a 'novena', special church services run for a period of 9 days in the local church. Then we have the yearly harvest festival which is held on the 24th of August, a popular festival full of pomp where the church priest blesses the new crop produced. The Hindus have their very own Palki festival. It is amazing how people of different religions do give importance to each other's festivals and exchange greetings, specially during the Hindu Diwalli ( festival of lights ) and Shigmo and Christmas and Easter. It is not unusual to see a Christmas tree in an Hindu house during Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
and flashing lights in Catholic houses during Diwali
Diwali
Diwali or DeepavaliThe name of the festival in various regional languages include:, , , , , , , , , , , , , popularly known as the "festival of lights," is a festival celebrated between mid-October and mid-December for different reasons...
! That is the spirit of this great village of sunny Goa.
Important monuments of Santa Cruz are the Santa Cruz church, St. Anthony chapel, the Shanta Durga temple and Almacho Khuris. Education is catered by the Santa Cruz Church HS, New English HS, the primary school and the Froebel School. Important architectural landmarks reminiscent of the Portuguese style are the Dempo House, the Pinto House, the Kenkre house and the magnificent Nachinolkar house. A characteristic of this style is the existence of large frontal balconies with 'moulded' seats either made up of stone or brickwork, where people could seat comfortably at the end of the day and chat away the events of the day with all family members. However, nowadays, majority of the buildings constructed are just high rise and 'box' type flats but these still have their modern balconies made up of concrete.
The government tries to help its poor and underprivileged residents by way of cheaper housing and welfare schemes. Self employment is always encouraged but in reality it is rarely seen in action. The village subsides economically on paddy rice cultivation, cashew and coconut plantations, livestock and building construction. The village does not have any major industrial factories, although one of the foremost industrial family houses from Goa, the Dempos are from Santa Cruz. Many residents of Santa Cruz have migrated overseas but these are always in touch with the current developments of their ancestral land.
The village is famous for sports and culture too. Crown Club of Santa Cruz has excelled over the years both in football and volleyball as well as in athletics and body building competitions. Many players who have started as amateurs, have nowadays achieved a lot in their careers, thanks to the club's glory as well as the ever supporting public who will make sure they attend any match in large numbers. Music is also one of the best know cultural fortes of the village. In mando
Mando
Mando refers to:*Mando , a Greek singer*Mando , a Goan musical form*Mando Diao, Swedish garage rock band.*Mando Corporation, a Korean automotive parts manufacturer...
competitions (mando is a traditional love song sung during weddings in old days but today is respected as an important cultural heritage ) the village normally contributes with many groups in different categories.The late Maestro Jose Santana Cota was a genius in music and many of his students have prospered not only in India, but also overseas.
The original name of the Santa Cruz village is a very debatable topic and till today, no one knows for sure how its Calapor name was acquired. However, an interesting anecdote became very popular and for some, this is the 'official' acceptable explanation for this mystery:
Once, the villagers of Santa Cruz and Taleigao
Taleigao
Taleigao is a town in Goa, India near the capital Panaji.Brahmanand Shankwalkar, ex football captain of India, was born in Taleigao. Narayan Hari Naik, a veteran freedom fighter of the Goan liberation movement was also born in Taleigao....
, a neighbouring village, entered into a dispute as regards to the exact boundary between both lands, the later accusing the former of encroaching into their territory. So both had agreed that they should consult an oracle on a certain day and get the solution to the problem. These days, one would sprinkle a mixture of cooked rice with the blood of a cock on the set lines between villages, amidst dancing and and beating the 'gumot' (a bongo
Bongo
Bongo may refer to:In nature:*Bongo , a species of forest antelope from AfricaIn geography:*Bongo Country, the name of several places in Africa*Bongo , Ivory CoastIn entertainment:...
like instrument).
Prior to the event the villagers of Calapor went to the spot they wanted to mark as the boundary, and dug a hole there. Then they lowered a coffin with a live man in it and, after smartly placing back the earth fill over it, they had provided a vent pipe for the man to breath. So when the moment arrived, both village leaders implored the oracle to answer their prayer. Bowing down in abeyance to Mother Earth, they waited patiently for the occult decision. A long silence prevailed. They kept repeating "To whom does this land belong?". And from the depths of the earth a faint voice replied: "Calapor! Calapor! Calapor!" to the joy and exultation of the Calaporkars. Sadly and frustrated, the Talaleigaokars accepted the verdict and went home. Everyone in Calapor made merry the whole night - and totally forgot the poor man inside the coffin! They returned the next day to the spot to dig up the coffin, only to find that the poor man had already died. In the coffin they found only crawling worms. As a symbol of self punishment, so the story goes, each man took a worm and placed it in his hip belt (this coined the term 'bendecho kiddo' or 'hip worm'). On that very spot, tradition says, stands 'Almacho Khuris' (Holy Cross) - the cross that has been marking the boundary after Christianity replaced traditional symbols.
Politics
It is also the name of a constituency of theGoa Assembly
Goa assembly
The Goa Legislative Assembly is the unicameral legislature of the state of Goa in western India. It consists of 40 members. In charge of the budget, the Assembly appropriates money for social programs, agricultural development, infrastructure development, etc...
, and is currently (2006) represented by Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
politician Mrs Victoria Fernandes.