M’belle: Students and staff of St. Lawrence College explore nearby religious-historical surr

By Commodore Jerome Castelino
Pics by Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 12 Mar 2013: Forty eight students and ten staff members of St. Lawrence College, Moodubelle took a day off on Saturday, March 9, 2013 after the second internal examination of the second semester and proceeded to visit Shri Durga Parameshwari Temple at Kunjarugiri hills, Pajaka Kshetra and ‘Vanasourabha’ and explored the rich religio-historical heritage which is very close by and go un-noticed by many.

 

After alighting from the school buses at the western side of the Kunjarugiri hill, the students and staff members trekked the steep rocky path leading to the top of the hill where the Shri Durga Parameshwari temple is located.

 

On reaching the temple site, the students and staff  were amazed  to see the storing of firewood in a unique rounded shape tapering towards the top. There was also a replica of the traditional method of storing paddy immediately after harvesting which is locally known as ‘thuppe’.

 

 

Thereafter, the students went around the newly renovated temple and evinced keen interest in the fine sculpture in metal, stone and wood  surrounding the temple. After paying obeisance to the Deity,  they  viewed the  beautiful natural surroundings including the newly rebuilt Shri Parashurama Temple on the top of the western side of the hill.

 

After spending some time on the hill the students and staff proceeded to Pajaka Kshetra, the birth place of Shri Madhwacharya, the exponent of Dwaita philosophy and founder of Ashta Mutts and Shri Krishna temple at Udupi.  Thereafter, on way back they visited ‘Nikhita’ the house of Mrs. Sarita D’Souza, Vice Principal of the college, where the students and staff were offered cold drinks. They were also offered pieces of cake as  that day being the 88th birthday of Mrs.Juan Alva, mother-in-law of Mrs. Sarita D’Souza. After wishing her ‘happy birthday and many happy returns of the day’ and  seeking her blessings, the students and staff left for ‘Vanasourabha’.

 

 On arrival at  ‘Vanasourabha’, the residence of Commodore Jerome Castelino, the Dean of the college, they were greeted by both Mrs. Rose Castelino and Commodore. Immediately thereafter, Derril Mathias, B.Com. student hoisted the national flag while rest of the students and staff sang the National Anthem.

 

Next,  the students and the staff members watched a CD on the TV screen about  their activities during the Annual College Day held in January 2013. All students and also staff participated in few games including the exciting and thrilling tug-of-war. The winners were handed over prizes by Mrs. Rose Castelino. Thereafter,  the students and staff were taken around inside and surroundings of ‘Vanasourabha’, where they could see some unique collection of artifacts. Other few attractions included two fountains, grotto and church bell which is more than 100 years old and also a unique and relaxing  sit-out.

 

Subsequent to this, Commodore Jerome Castelino narrated few  incidents as they happened during  1961-Goa Liberation War, 1965-Indo-Pak War and 1971-Bangaldesh Liberation War.  He also exhibited few war relics namely, used 6” Bofors gun-shell, grenade and kukri and also a wheel retrieved from a Portuguese Warship ‘Albuquerque’ which was captured during the Goa Liberation War in 1961. He also explained the significance of the War Memorial which he had constructed in his courtyard in commemoration of 50th anniversary of Goa Liberation and 40th anniversary of Bangaldesh Liberation Wars. A book containing the names of 4,980 soldiers who gave their lives during these two liberation wars is always placed near the War Memorial. All the students and staff members paid respectful  homage to the war heroes by offering flower petals at the War Memorial.

 

Thereafter, the students and staff were served lunch sponsored by Commodore Jerome Castelino and Mrs. Rose Castelion. After  a fruitful, educative  and fun-filled outing, the students dispersed after receiving  a small memento from Mrs. Rose Castelino.

 

A week ago,  50  NCC Cadets and four staff members of SMS English Medium School, Brahmavar had visited ‘Vanasourabha’ and underwent  similar activities. Even earlier 100 NSS students from St. Mary’s College, Shirva also had paid a visit to this place and had similar experience. Few more schools are likely to visit ‘Vanasourabha’ during this academic year.