The Kadamba reign in Goa which began in the 11th century up to 14th century is known to be incomparable to the rest of its history. It was at this era that trade and commerce flourished at its peak. Traders came from all over India, Sri lanka and some part of the middle East. This brought an influence of culture, traditions and religion. The temple is located in an area called Gujir Vaddo in Kudnem. The name suggests that the area once had a Gujrati settlement earlier. The majority of the Jain followers hailed from Gujrat who built this structure. Moreover, being Hinduism followers, they were tolerant toward the Jainism followers that began spreading.
After the fall of the Kadambas, there was political unrest as the rulers shifter time to time. The Mughal invasion and attack in the 14th century approximately led by Aurangzeb burned down bicholim including the Temple. Thus fell the beauty of this bustling trade centre from the Kadamba age. Since then, the spot has been in ruins without much change in the features. It lies little under a kilometer from the main road. The exposed laterite is visible from the outside. Just a little walk away, there are ruins of a sun temple too. Not much could be identified as it looks like a pile of laterite rubble.
On a hillock nearby there are a few memorial shrines or tombs of the jains that lived at the time. Locally this area is called 'Thadgi'.
It would take you about 5 minutes to get there by walk. Other than a sign board by the archaeological department, the directions to get there aren't sufficient. You could find your way like I did by asking the locals but it is time consuming as well as vague. If you would like to get there on the shortest path, the directions are as follows:
Walk out the small gate beside the temple. (First pic below)
Take a left and continue on a muddy path that bends slightly to the left.
There will be a few stables for the buffalo on your right. (Second pic below) Between the first and second stable there will be a rocky path upwards. (This is private property. If anyone asks, say you wanna get to the Thadgi and can't find your way)
Follow the path until you get a wall built with laterite. There will be a small Gap in the wall enough to pass through.
Walk straight in the direction of a grey barked tree.
The Thadgi lies in front of the tree. You'll see it as you approach.
It is all in ruins. Good place to click abandoned, rustic pictures. Photographers could make the most of the site. Fun factor is close to nil unless you're a history enthusiast. The ruins give you a feel of how the structures stood once upon a time. There is not much to do here so this visit including the temple should not take you more than 30 minutes to cover.
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