Foundation stone laid for new Khapreshwar temple

Panaji: While one group had installed a picture of Dev Khapreshwar at a site along the highway where the deity’s temple was demolished for highway work, another group associated with the temple on Sunday laid the foundation stone for the construction of a new temple of Dev Khapreshwar opposite the Hyundai Showroom at Porvorim.

The group said they will begin the construction of the new temple soon. They had chosen March 30 to lay the foundation stone because it was the auspicious occasion of Gudi Padwa. They claimed to have the support of state govt in the construction of the new temple.

The Dev Khapreshwar temple was demolished at Voddakodde at Porvorim along the highway last month, to carry out the work of the elevated six-lane highway corridor. The banyan tree, under which the temple stood, was transplanted at another location.

Following protests from devotees and environmentalists, chief minister Pramod Sawant had stated that govt would provide land and support the construction of the new temple at another location at Porvorim at the earliest.

However, the temple committee led by Karthik Kudnekar took the stand that they do not want the temple moved to any other location and that the deity will reside at the original location.

Later, the group installed a photo of Dev Khapreshwar at the temple demolition site. Kudnekar also claimed that the group which has accepted the CM’s suggestion to shift the temple is not linked to the temple committee at all.