Swami Vivekanand sets foot on Goan soil
Swami Vivekananda was asked to visit Goa while visiting Belgaum in 1892. He was on his journey across India. He arrived at the Margao railway station to be received by Subrai Naik, a Sanskrit scholar. Vivekananda visited Goa to study Christian theology and philosophy at the Rachol seminary. His stay in Goa lasted a week starting on October 27. He was preparing for the Parliament on World’s Religions to be held in 1893.
“Vivekananda’s host in Belgaum was known to Subrai and requested him to receive Vivekananda at Margao railway station. Not many knew of him at that time, but after Vivekananda’s stay here, on is return, a large procession accompanied him to the station,” Pradip Naik, who is Subrai’s great great great grandson told TOI.
Swami Vivekananda spent three days studying the subjects at the seminary. He also interacted with the staff and students at the seminary. Subrai Naik acted as an interpreter as he knew fluent Portuguese. Vivekananda also visited Shantadurga temple, (Kavlem), Mangueshi temple, (Mangesh) and Mahalsa temple, (Mardol). After his visit to these temples, he met musician Khaprumama Parvatkar at Damodar Saal.
After his stay in Goa, Swami Vivekananda left for Dharwad. According to reports, a large procession followed him to the station. Vivekananda left a copy of his photograph with Subrai Naik (on his request), an enlarged portrait of it hangs in the room even today.
As for the room, it has remained untouched. All the furniture (even the one used by Swami Vivekananda himself) has been kept the same. The room mostly remains closed but only opened on certain occasions. The descendants of Subrai Naik currently inhabit the house. It stays on as a reminder of the visit.
History of Goa is filled with surprises. Swami Vivekananda’s visit to Goa was just one of them. Do visit Itsgoa.com for more bits of interesting information on Goa.
