Rivona’s caves: Footprints of an ancient civilization

By Isidore Domnick Mendis

Generations of chroniclers have linked Rivona with protagonists and sages of ancient India. Rivona’s caves are linked to stories that say that either the Pandavas (five brothers from the Mahabharata epic) or Buddhist monks arrived here and resided in this village.

“Etymologically, Rivona’s old name was Rishivan. It was believed to be the chosen destination of numerous, learned and wise people of that era,” says Savlo Raghu Naik of Pandavsada. Encompassing an area of 4,530 hectares, picturesque Rivona is truly blessed by the creator. Apart from River Khushavati being its lifeline, the village is a repository of natural wonders around 90 refreshing springs, and all-pervasive greenery depicted by its plantations of coconut, areca nut, cashew, jackfruit, sugarcane, rice, etc.

Situated in Sanguem taluka, Rivona has nine panchayat wards and traditional village wards such as

Colomb

, Kevona, Muscavrem, Kond, Sudhirwada, Keri, Ghatiwada, Zambaulim, Fatimawada, Pataiwada, Kupwada, Gainguinwada, Pandavsada, Deulwada, Sonarbhat, etc. Despite shifting to towns and cities, many Rivonkars speak about the village of their roots with pride and honour.

Rivona’s residents also call for sustainable development in the tourism sector. “For the benefit of Rivona and its residents, tourism activity should be properly planned. Tourists should be sensitized to respect local culture and ecology,” says Vaishali Vaikunth Naik, deputy sarpanch,who has also served as village sarpanch.