BANNAVLECHO GANV (Treasure of Riches) song by Fr. Milagres Dias | Village of Benaulim.

Sprawling of Coconut trees, adorned by fields, drawn by greenery and fresh air and sandwiched between the river Sal in the east and the Arabian Sea in the west, lies this beautiful village of BENAULIM.

The Village gets it’s name from two words, Ban (Sanskrit word for arrow) and Halli (Kannada word for village). According to a myth when an arrow was shot to create the coast of Konkan, the arrow landed in this village in a pond, hence the name. Before the advent of the Portuguese, it was known as BANAHALLI or BANAWALI. Later it was Bannal’le, Bannavle or simply Benaulim. You can remember it as “The Place Marked with The arrow.”

Not much is known about the village pre Portuguese rule. During the Portuguese rule it was one of the nine Comunidades in Salcete. The Portuguese rule gravely influenced this village. Contemporary Benaulim is a popular seaside resort, renowned for its beautiful rice fields, balmy weather and golden sand beaches. Benaulim has three beaches: The main Benaulim beach is neighbored by Trinity beach to the south and a minor beach to the far south. Benaulim beach is popular among the locals and tourists alike. Apart from sunbathing and swimming, there are also options of parasailing, jet skiing, boat riding and wind surfing. Benaulim beaches are pristine, as they are relatively undeveloped.

Majority of the people here are Christians, followed by Hindus and others. The village is a great example of communal harmony and this can be seen as people take part in any religious festival held in the village.

Benaulim is home to several traditional carpenters (Thevoi), and has long been known as Goa's 'village of carpenters'. Fishing is another occupation people love, hence the KHARVI community seen in abundance here. You will find a number of toddy tappers, Poders, Xetkamti etc. People here have owned a number of cows, buffaloes, oxen (hence the love for dhirios). Post liberation the local community has also diverged into technical jobs and has produced a number of professional workers.

It’s also famous and has been referred to as a land of artist, having produced some of the finest musicians, play writers, directors, actors and dancers in the state. Rosario Rodrigues is one such person who revolutionised the Konkani stage with his writing, use of lights, background scenery and background music. No wonder he is called the Shakespeare of the Konkani stage and the “Raza of Non-stop Drama”.

The village of Benaulim takes immense pride in being the birth place of Goa's own saint and the patron of Archdiocese, St. Joseph Vaz.He was baptized and given the name Joseph in this very village in the church of St John The Baptist(place shown in video at 05:56-05:59 in the video).He is fondly called the grandson of Benaulim, or in local language, Bannavlecho Natu.

It’s said any revolution in goa (post liberation), salcete has always been the heart and Benaulim has been the strong hold. Be it the fight for a separate union territory, language agitation, fishermen’s revolts and the recent anti migrant issue which has taken birth in this village.

Benaulim has long been naturally developed with its enriching flora and fauna. But due to illegal encroachment, illegal buildings, and unplanned development, it’s at a threat of being ruined and developed into a concrete jungle. The garbage issue has too left a stinking mark on this village. The western bypass which passes through the village is a great threat to the existence of this village. A number of individual have fought and are still fighting the local authorities, its elected representatives to protect this village from being long gone from our hands. A SALUTE TO ALL THESE INDIVIDUALS.

Though many people have gone and left for better prospects around the world, their love for the village is always preciously kept in their hearts. Wherever they may be, all the villagers take pride in having born in this village and always consider themselves NIZ GOENKARS and after all NIZ BANNALKARS.

Видео BANNAVLECHO GANV (Treasure of Riches) song by Fr. Milagres Dias | Village of Benaulim. канала Milagres Dias