(Owing to
religious persecutions by the Portuguese in the Sixteenth Century
(1583) this deity was shifted to the holy place at village Fatorpa,
Kepem Taluka from the historical village Cuncolim of Salcete Taluka
at the express command of Goddess herself. Later, she became popular
as Shree Shantadurga kunkalikarin of Fatorpa.
The famous
revolt of Cuncolim in the 16th century (15th July
1583) against the Portuguese oppression for the protection of ‘Swadharma
and Swaraj’ was took place as per the divine spirit and inspiration
received from the Goddess Shantadurga. As a result, the forcible
conversion to Christianization was stopped. Hence, she has been considered
as saviour of Hinduism in Goa.
This
historical event of Cuncolim was almost similar to that of spiritual event
of Maratha history, which happened later in seventeenth Century, where
Adimata Bhavani practically inspired and blessed the chatrapati Shivaji
Maharaj to form ‘Hindavi Swaraj’ in order to defend and save Hindu
Religion, Vedic Culture, Civilisation, Mutt and Temples from the invasion
of mighty Moghuls).
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