Siolim

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Siolim
type = village
latd = 15.620
longd = 73.767
locator_position = right
locator_position = right
skyline =
skyline_caption =
state_name = Goa
district = North Goa
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude =
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 10,311
population_rank =
population_density =
area_magnitude = sq. km.
area_total =
area_telephone = 0832 227
postal_code = 403 517
vehicle_code_range =
website =
footnotes =

Siolim (Konkani: शिवोली, Siolim) is a village in Bardez taluka, and a census town in the North Goa district in the Indian state of Goa. Siolim is also the name of an assembly constituency which includes Assagao, Anjuna and Oxel in addition to Siolim. This article is about the village of Siolim. A person from Siolim is known as a "Siolcar"

Location

Siolim is situated about 7 km from Mapusa. It is situated around Chapora River. There is a bridge over River Chapora in place of the ferry.

To Siolim’s north lies sleepy Oxel; green hillocks hedge it towards Assagao in the south and the east; Camurlim too lies to its east, and in the west flows serenely the Chapora river with Morjim and its pine-wooded beach on the northern bank in Pernem.

It has several "vadde", including Igrezvaddo, Gaunsavaddo, Bamonvaddo, Marna, Portavaddo, Tarchi Bhatt, Guddem, Aframent, Vaddi and Oxel.

Siolim has three "panchayats": Siolim-Marna, Siolim-Sodiem, and Siolim-Oxel. It has two "comunidades" as well--Siolim and Marna--and two parishes--Siolim and Tropa.

Origin of name

The name comes from two words: "‘ Xinv ’" and "‘ Halli ’". "Xinv" (pronounced 'Shiu') means lion and "Halli" refers to a village or place. This probably means that there once were plenty of lions in the hills of Siolim. This origin of the name has been documented in Fr. M. De Souza’s book.Bardezcheo Igorzo (Churches of Bardez), Fr. Moren De Souza S.J.] An argument in favour of this origin is that the village on the other side of the Siolim (not Marna) hill is called Vagali, which could be "‘ Vag ’" + "‘ Halli ’" ("Vag" means tiger). Another explanation is that the name comes from "‘Shivalaya’", which means a temple of Shiva, but there is no evidence for this origin.

chools

Holy Cross High School, which was a very popular girls convent in Goa, founded by the Congregation of the Daughters of the Cross in 1933. However since 1977 it has been converted into a co-ed, with only the boarding restricted for girls. St Francis Xavier’s High School and Higher Secondary School was established in Corlim, Mapusa in 1937 by Mr Miguel Antonio D’Souza, and transferred to Bamonvaddo, Siolim, in 1950. Since 1953 it is being run by the Fransalians. Shri Vasant Vidhyalaya at Portavaddo, Keerti Vidyalaya at Raim and Shri Shanta Vidyalaya in Sodiem are the other schools.

The church in Siolim

Siolim's church is dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua. The church possesses two steeples on the frontispiece and a statue of St Anthony holding a serpent on a leash. This is a depiction of the incident which occurred during the construction of the church wherein a snake that was disrupting construction work was found caught in the cord placed in the statue's hand. In the church, the statues, paintings, and even the church bell, depict St. Anthony holding a serpent tied with a cord to commemorate this miracle.

Franciscan missionaries first built a church--Church of Mae de Deus--at the Sonarkhett hill, wedged between Siolim and Assagao. It was located centrally to serve the spiritual needs of the new converts in the villages of Anjuna, Assagao, Siolim and Oxel. But being situated on the rising hill and probably being a kutcha structure, it did not survive for many years, leaving behind the black stone cross at Sonarkhett.

The first church in Siolim was built near the site of the Mae de Deus chapel in Gaunsavaddo in 1568. (There is a plaque commemorating this fact in the chapel compound). This church was probably a kucha structure, and it survived for merely 32 years.

In 1600, the missionaries planned for a new and larger church in another location more central to the Christians of Siolim. The realization of this project seems in grave doubt due to lack of sufficient funds. At that time two Portuguese merchants were caught in a severe storm sailing from Portugal. They had with them a statue of St. Anthony, and vowed that if they made to port safely, they would build a church where they landed.

It so happened that their ship entered the Chapora River and docked on the left bank near the village of Marna. It was here they met the Franciscan missionaries looking for funds. The rest is history. The new church was dedicated to St. Anthony instead of Mae de Deus (the Mother of God) and completed in 1630.

The Gaunsavaddo Chapel of Mae de Deus was constructed in 1847.

Earlier the local Christians would attend religious services at the Military chapel at Tropa or Palchovaddo, which was raised to a Church in 1971. In the sixteenth century conquest of Goa, this place was well fortified by the Portuguese with police to ward off the Bhosle attacks. The word Tropa which means 'Military Troops', still survives in the name given to Tropa parish. It's church is dedicated to Our Lady of Consolation.

In the early part of the 20th century, the ravages of time took its toll on the first church of Saint Anthony. Attempts to repair the wall and renovate the roof appeared futile. The whole structure was in danger of collapsing. The parishioners decided to build a new church on the same site. The foundation stone of the church we see today was laid in November 1902. The consecration of took place on December 28,1907.

The parish chapels include the chapel at Gaunsavaddo (Mae de Deus), Marna (St. Sebastian), Portavaddo and Tarchi Bhatt.

Three brothers from Gaunsavaddo - Santa, Ganexa and Zagre Gauns - were the first Christian converts, their descendants are Fr. Cyriaco, Victor Santana, Dr. Cosmas and Fr. Damian Fernandez.

Temples in Siolim

hri Datta Mandir

This temple is dedicated to Shri Dattatreya, the trinity, knownfor its serenity austere rites. The idol worshipedis "Ekhmukhi"which is very sacred and rare. This temple is locatedin Ghol Marna Siolim, away from all the disturbances of traffic andhuman location, this place is very sacred and perfect place forwoship and meditation. This temple was established by Kai. Gopinath Dattaram Prabhu(Porob). He born in a poor family background in 1900.He was very much devoted to God from his young age. His father expired when he was 20.He went to Narsobaavaddi to perform all the required things afterdeath of his father.here he was influenced by Lord Dattatreya. Thereafter he often loved visiting Narsobavaddi.he later resided there, n occupied himself worshiping Lord Dattatreya.

At the age of 31 he established a Portrait of Lord Dattatreya atMapusa n started woshiping him. He established a temple threafter.After a few months he came to Kai Atmaram Fulari's resident. Aftersettling here, he used to go to bath near the spring at GholMarna. Surrounded by the beautiful nature he liked this place verymuch. Thich forest, tall headed coconut trees, medicinal water flowingthrough the springs and hills at all sides supporting a peacefulplace influenced his mind. In 1942 he took permission of the ownerof the place Visnum Ranga Kamat Dalal and built a small hut in which he startedworshiping a portrait of Lord Dattatreya. Many devotees startedvisiting this place. Festivals likeGurudwadashi, Dattajayanti,Gurupadwa were celebrated later.

He was then respectively known as "Baba Maharaj". N he gave many people "vibhuti".

He expired on 27 August 1949.And his Samadhi was constructed infront of the temple.

Then Shri Shreepad Fulari continued the worship. This temple is now developed and designed by the famous architectShri Nandan Sawant. a huge Mandam is built in front of thetemple. Festivals like Gurupadwa, VardhapanDivas, Gurudwadshi,Dattajayanti etc.

ateri Temple

This temple is situated at Shelim, Siolim. This temple of goddess Sateri is famous for the festival of "Diwsans". During this festival the temple is surrounded by a long "feri". Many females go round the temple in a procession with oil-lamps in their hand and on their head. The scene is so auspicious. The Sateri Temple was designed by Goan architect Ralino de Souza.

Famous "Siolcars"

Siolim has produced many musicians, sportspersons, bishops and other famous people.

Among sportspersons, hockey internationals Gregory, Olimpio, Edgar and Egbert Fernandes and international hockey referee Domnick J Fernandes have done India proud. Marie (Simoes) Mendonca captained the Indian hockey team, represented India at the first and 2nd Asian Games in Delhi and Manila respectively in athletics and in 1956 wore Indian colours at the Melbourne Olympics. At the national level, Peter Fernandes (Vasco Club), and star player Johnny Franco and goalkeeper Caetano Fernandes (both of Dempo) earned honours for Siolim.

Music is an essential ingredient of Goa, and more so in Siolim. Pinta Xapai (the grand old patriarch who died at the age of 114) put up the statue of Beethoven in his courtyard in Gaunsavaddo. The rare landmark symbolises the love for the magical arts and music Siolcars are famed for. Famous musician Remo Fernandes hails from Siolim (Guddem). Another well-known musician was Johnson (of 'Johnson & his Jolly boys' fame). Rosario “Tequila” Basil was a famous saxophonist. Writer-trumpeter Reginald Fernandes, played for Hal Green, Nelly Batliwalla and her orchestra. Known as ”Romansincho Patxai”, he has written a record number of Konkani novels, nearly 100. A musician of high repute, he has left behind several Goan Konkani compositions, which are played still on All India Radio, one of the well-known ones being the melancholic “Adeus Korchea Vellar” sung by Allan Costa. Antoninho de Souza was a music director and music recordist for Emissora De Goa & All India Radio, Panjim. The music and lyrics for the beautiful konkani duet, "Rajan and Prema" were written by him. Well known satirist of yesteryear Cruz Noronha, popularly known as Cruz Jazzwala was also from Siolim.

The present Bishop of Sindhudurg diocese, Rev. Allwyn Baretto is from Siolim. Bishop Leonard Monteiro, former Archbishop of Nagpur is also from Siolim. The retired Bishop of Belgaum, the Rt. Rev. Ignatius Lobo is from Gaunsavaddo. His famed brother, John Lobo, from the first batch of Indian Police Service in 1948, who was the Director, Central Bureau of Intelligence.

Well-known cartoonist Alex Raphael Fernandes "Alexyz" and renowned fashion designer Savio John Fernandes are from Siolim. One of Goa’s most prominent tiatrist Kid Boxer came from Siolim. Wellknown Konkani stage actors Romualdo Desouza "Miss Cuticura" and Vintorinho Rodriguez "Victor Chevalier" also hailed from Siolim (Bamonvaddo) as did Mini Diogo. Famous footballer Maxie (Burmah Shell) also hailed from Bamonvaddo, Siolim.

Historical firsts

Liberation brought in electric power in 1972 and tap water flowed in 1975. By 1980 Siolim had a telephone exchange, which has since shifted to a large building. The first KTC bus travelled to Siolim on July 14, 1981. Broadband internet access was first available in January 2008.

Concerns

Some of Siolim's most beautiful places are it's green fields and hills. However, these are being lost due to rapid increase in settlement, with a huge rise new constructions. Open spaces for children and youth to play outdoors are fast disappearing. At the present rate, the only open space remaining may be the football ground owned by the church. All Siolcars should awake and take steps to prevent this unplanned development.

Miscellaneous

* Siolim has a few football teams, the most prominent being that of Football Club of Siolim (FC Siolim).

* Siolim has inspired the Goan mando "Siole dongra sokolu"

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Siolim had a population of 10,311. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Siolim has an average literacy rate of 82%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 87%, and female literacy is 77%. In Siolim, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.

ee also

* http://stanthony-siolim.org/, website of St. Anthony's Church, Siolim
* http://www.goacom.org/goanow/99/july/blessed.html
* Siolim by Sebastian D’Cruz
* History of the Church in Siolim
* [http://www.goacom.com/goanow/2001/jul/legend.html Article about Reginald Fernandes]
* [http://www.goacom.com/goanow/2001/aug/legend.html Article about Antoninho de Souza]
* [http://www.goacom.com/goanow/2001/nov/legend.html Article about Johnson Carvalho]

References