Kerala Saraswats Discover Goa’s Spiritual Heritage:Traces communities Ancestral Roots

A New Era in Heritage Tourism

A group of 150 Saraswat community members from Kochi recently undertook a meaningful journey to Goa, seeking to reconnect with their ancestral roots and cultural heritage. The expedition, organized by “Ekmeli,” was officially flagged off by Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar in Kochi.

The visitors, mostly retirees, traveled by reserved railway coaches and were accommodated at the traditional agrashala (pilgrim rest houses) of prominent temples including Mahalakshmi, Mahalasa, and Mangueshi. Their visit highlighted the enduring cultural bonds between Kerala and Goa’s Saraswat communities.

A cultural showcase was organized at the Shri Mahalaxmi Hall, with support from Mahalaxmi Devasthan and Global Chamber of Saraswat Entrepreneurs Goa. The event began with a welcome address by Pravin Kumar, followed by the traditional lighting of the lamp. Mr. Harshad Kamat, President of Mahalaxmi Devasthan, warmly welcomed the visitors and expressed his commitment to preserving Saraswat traditions. In his address, he emphasized the temple’s role as a cultural beacon for the community and pledged continued support for such heritage initiatives. Mr. Kamat also highlighted the importance of maintaining strong connections between Saraswat communities across different regions, announcing plans for regular cultural exchanges in the future.

Architect Rajesh Kenkre, coordinator of the Global Chamber of Saraswat Entrepreneurs (GCSE) briefed the audience about the Chamber’s initiatives in building a dynamic and supportive ecosystem for Saraswat Businessmen and Professionals. He also mentioned about the Chambers programs in Mentoring , Networking and Business Support leveraging its immense wealth of industry leaders and stalwarts across five nations. He outlined GSEC’s vision of creating a global network of Saraswat entrepreneurs and professionals, while urging the participants to explore connecting Culture and Business by establishing a GCSE chapter in Kochi in collaboration with Ekmeli.

The cultural program proved to be a vibrant celebration of Saraswat heritage, featuring a diverse array of performances. Young and elderly members of the Ekmelli group presented traditional Konkani songs, classical dance performances, and a thought-provoking drama depicting Saraswat history. The performances particularly touched the audience with their authentic portrayal of customs and traditions, while contemporary elements added a fresh perspective to age-old cultural narratives. The seamless blend of devotional music and cultural demonstrations kept the audience enthralled throughout the evening.

The event reached its spiritual pinnacle as all attendees joined the weekly Palakhi procession of Shri Mahalaxmi

The atmosphere was charged with devotional fervor as both visitors and locals came together, for Palkhi through the temple premises. The rhythmic chanting of mantras and the soft glow of traditional oil lamps created an ethereal atmosphere, embodying the deep spiritual connection of the Saraswat community to their Kuladevi.

Many participants were visibly moved by this profound experience, some with tears of devotion in their eyes as they sought the blessings of Shri Mahalaxmi devi

This cultural exchange not only strengthened the bonds between Goan and Kochi Saraswat communities but also demonstrated the community’s commitment to preserving their rich cultural heritage for future generations.