Where the grass is always greener

Around 10km from the bustle of the

Ponda sub-district headquarters

sits Codar, green and thriving with traditional agricultural plantations —

kulaghars

— content in its quiet pace of life.


This small village with its 1,150 strong population traces its relevance in the state’s agricultural economy to way before the Portuguese rule in the region.

Today it is known for its cashew, coconut and areca nut plantations, but long ago, in pre-colonial times, its ‘korad’ (wild grass) was in much demand in many other parts of the state. It is the opinion of the village’s chroniclers that the name ‘Codar’ came to be derived from ‘korad’.

The grass served as a primary feed for cattle, and resident of Codar’s Gaonkar vaddo, Prashant Vishnu Gaonkar, says: “‘Vhoddems (canoes) would leave for

Panaji

and other parts of Goa from our village with baskets of ‘korad’. It was a main source of livelihood for our forefathers.”

Today, most of the village is under plantations of which, 45% are cashew. The village yields around 150 quintals of cashew. It also has around 40 ‘kulagars’ which grows medicinal plants, flowers, spices and fruit bearing trees.

Among its prized crops is the Raspali variety of bananas that grows here. “Special efforts should be made to conserve this rare variety of bananas,” Prashant says.

Spread over 272.3ha, the village is part of the

Bethora-Nirankal-Konxem-Codar panchayat

and has its own comunidade. Landlocked on three sides — it is bordered by the villages of Betora, Nirankal, Khandepar — the Khandepar river serves as one of its boundaries.

Its traditional vaddos or wadas comprise Gaonkar vaddo, Deul vaddo, Raia bhat, Gudaomol, Pita bhat, Sateri bhat, Kossamshel, Kamral, Kumyad, Tolyatem and Maadpar.

Like many other Goan villages, Codar is also fighting to safeguard its rich legacy and historical and natural heritage.

“The village is eagerly awaiting action on the proposal sent to the water resources department for undertaking desiltation and maintenance of the bhandara here. Measures also need to be initiated by the department of archives and archaeology to protect the Pandava caves where wild plants and weeds are now visible,” resident of Gaonkar vaddo, Gurudas B Gaonkar says.


RENOWNED RESIDENTS
Late Vishnu Bombi Gaonkar: Social worker and served as sarpanch and deputy sarpanch. He was also the president of Conxem, Codar and Nirankal Vividh Karyakari Society. He served as president of the Codar comunidade for 20 years.
Late Sadhashiv Gaonkar: Noted agriculturalist, who despite not having any formal medical education was popular as a doctor .
Krishna B Naik: Agriculture officer, Goa government.
Satish Prabhu Tendulkar: Served as director of agriculture department .
Late Yashwant Gauns: Shamolee (instrument) performer for ghumat aarti during Ganesh Chaturthi Vishram Gaonkar: Served as deputy director, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) at Old Goa.
Prashant Gaonkar: President of Codar comunidade and manager of Goa State Cooperative Bank. He is also known to be the village’s chronicler.
Uday A Prabhu and Janu Surme: Prominent dairy farmers.
Datta Raman Sawant: Ghumot performer.
Sunil Prabhu Gaonkar: Village chronicler.
Gurudas B Gaonkar: Attorney of Codar comunidade and village chronicler.
Rohidas B Naik and Satchit D Naik: Senior officials of Somnath Mahalaxmi Sahakari Dugdh Vyavasthatik Sansatha.


HERITAGE TRAIL/LANDMARKS
Vagate waterfalls - It is an important village landmark located at Vaidya farms in Kossamshel vaddo, on the banks of the Khandepar river. It has an enclosure for bathing and picnics and is a popular tourist spot, especially during the monsoon
Bhandara - Located at Tolyatem vaddo, it was known to be an important source of irrigation in the village. Today, it is in a run-down condition due to siltation and wearing down of its embankments

Nag Zor - The spring is situated at Deul vaddo. Villagers believe their forefathers relied on it as their primary source of drinking water. The village panchayat undertakes annual cleaning of this water body

Somnath temple - This two-century old temple at Deul vaddo houses the gram devta (village deity). Its ‘kaloutsav’ (feast) is celebrated in December

Shree Mahalaxmi temple - Adjacent to Somnath temple is the 25-year-old place of worship that houses the ‘kuldevta’ (family deity). Its ‘kaloutsav’ is also held in December

Pandava (Codar) caves - Of great historical relevance, the caves are believed to be linked to the Pandavas (five brothers from Mahabharata). It is believed that they spent a part of their exile in Goa. This important remnant of yore lies in a dilapidated state as wild grass and weeds have covered both the structure and the vicinity as well

Voddlem Ghor - This over 500-year-old house situated at Gaonkar vaddo is the oldest in the village. It is believed the first residents of the village resided in this abode. Its 100-odd members have now dispersed to other parts of the state. Folk dances like dhallo are performed here. A longstanding tradition of performing the first Ganesha puja is still observed in this house

Om Nitya Divya Yogashram - Established in 2006 at Kossamshel vaddo, it offers yoga classes. The all Goa yoga competition on Surya Namaskar (sun salutation) is also held here

Nandanvan - Three years ago, this spot at Maadpar vaddo that sits amid 200 acres of lush greenery was developed for tourists and visitors. It houses a farm that comprises a spice plantation that grows medicinal plants, herbs and flowers, and also offers recreational activities and facilities for adventure sports

Sarpanch’s take
To cater to the livelihood opportunities of villagers in Codar, the government should promote tourism by developing agricultural farms in the approximately 10 lakh sqm land that it had acquired from locals at 10 paise per sqm. Sadly, only 1.5 lakh sqm of this land has been put into use till date. Also, the narrow roads in many parts of the village have to be widened
-- Sushant Vishnu Gaonkar

Residents’ Speak
Codar is a small village. It is endowed with natural beauty and it is this aspect of the village that fascinates visitors. The air is fresh here as there are no factories or mines. The water in the wells, tollem (lakes), zor (springs) and the Khandepar river (flowing from Dudhsagar) is clean
Sunil Prabhu Gaonkar - Resident, Gaonkar Vaddo


Codar is spiritually and culturally blessed. The village has five temples one each dedicated to lord Somnath, goddess Mahalaxmi, Betal, lord Hanuman and Sateri. The village has not only preserved Goa’s maand culture through dhallo, etc, but also continues to promote it

Gurudas B Gaonkar - Resident, Gaonkar Vaddo


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