The isolation of Goa from the rest of India for more than
four centuries under the Portuguese rule, combined with it's geographical
borders in the form of the Sahyadri ranges and the tidal rivers have managed
to give the people of Goa a unique identity.
Hindus and Christians are the two major communities in Goa. Goa's
population consists of 65% Hindus and 30% Christians and the other 5% of
Muslims and other religions. The Hindu community covers the talukas
(districts) of Ponda, Bicholim, Pernem, Satari, Sanguem, Quepem and
Canacona. These areas actually form part of the Novas Conquistas, or the New
Conquests, made by the Portuguese in the eighteenth century, the last stage
of the expansion of their Goan empire.
The
decline of the Portuguese military on this phase of their rule has resulted
in the decline of the religious ardour for forced conversions by the
Portuguese. Hence the population in these newly conquered areas were pretty
much left to practise their religion in peace.
The Old Conquests on the other hand, consisting of Salcete, Mormugao,
Tiswadi and Bardez bore the brunt of the Portuguese army and the religious
zealots. Together, the two arms of the Portuguese empire, managed to destroy
temples and converted hundreds of non-Christians in these areas, which are
predominantly Christian today.
Fortunately, these bitter memories of the past have done nothing to change
the warm, friendly and loving nature of the Goan people. More often than
not, Goans consider themselves as Goan first and a Hindu, Christian or
Muslim afterwards. The bonds of language and the Goan identity are strong
enough to allow for different religious persuasions. The Goans have a great
respect to each others faith and religion, and hence religious
fundamentalism is completely unknown in the state.
The best evidence of this is seen in quite a few places of worship in Goa,
where both Hindus and Christians go together. The Damodar temple at Sanguem,
the Church of Our Lady of Miracles in Mapusa, the Shantadurga temple at
Fatorpa are excellent examples of this unique religious harmony that exists
in Goa. Besides these, a number of other festivals in Goa are celebrated by
members of both communities with equal fervour.
