Unique Gajalaxmi stone sculpture found at Veluz

Keri: A unique semi-circular panel of Gajalaxmi, displaying socio-cultural heritage of Goa, is lying neglected at Veluz in Sattari.

The stone sculpture of Gajalaxmi, locally known as Kelbai, is lying under a terminalia bellarica (ghoting) tree at Basavyache mol of Veluz.

Speaking to TOI, Mahadev Krishna Gaonkar, 65, said, “In the past, it was inside a grove that had remnants of the old temple. Just a few meters from the Gajalaxmi panel, there also lies a sculpture of Nandi. As per local beliefs, these sculptures belonged to the earlier settlers of the area, known as Hebads. The incomplete but large sculpture of Betal at Kayatikadle devane too is associated with Hebads.

Rajaram Satu Gaonkar, 71, from Veluz, said, “Our Sateri Brahmani Mahamaya temple has one panel of Gajalaxmi and two more sculptures are lying outside along the dilapidated ruins of temples, which throws light on the rich socio-cultural heritage of one of the ancient villages of Sattari.”

This semi-circular sculpture of Gajalaxmi is 70cm in height and 165cm wide and is one of the biggest panels of Goa that showcases not only floral and faunal aspects but prosperity of the region, religious procession and religious values of the old settlers.

Two stone inscriptions of the Vijayanagara period of 1402 and 1408 AD were earlier discovered in Veluz and are presently displayed at the museum of the Archaeological Survey of India at Old Goa.

A number of panels of Gajalaxmi have been found previously in various parts of Goa.

Goddess Kelbai is worshipped in the form of the monsoon goddess Gajalaxmi, who is usually depicted with two royal elephants pouring water from pitchers held by their trunks.