Curdi, village that appears once a year!

The Salaulim Dam project was envisioned by Goa’s first Chief Minister Dayanand Bandodkar in 1965. In 1975’s when the Salaulim dam was built it submerged the villages of Kurdi and Kurpem in Sanguem Taluka. Most of the villagers were into agriculture and farming, the then Government compensated the families with 10,000 square meters of agricultural land and 400 square meters of land for housing purposes.

The construction of the Salaulim dam began around 1975-1976. As a few areas of the village started submerging, the affected families started migrating to the land that they were allotted at Vaade and Valkini.

The village of Kurdi, with exception of Talsai area, and half of Kurpem is completely submerged from the months of June to mid-April. It starts drying up in the heat of mid-April and lasts until May or mid-June.

Shree Someshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is located in the village of Kurdi is the only structure that still remains intact. The church was completely demolished and the chapel was built on the hill later so people can visit again to pray. The temple stone Nandi along with other idols from the Someshwar temple was moved to Valkini col. No. 2. Someshwar Utsav and Feast at the newly built Chapel is celebrated once a year in the month of May.

Recently built chapel

Indian classical singer Mogubai Kurdikar, mother of Kishori Amonkar is from Kurdi and the ruins of her house about 200 mts from the temple can still be seen. Across the landscape, one can see a lot of foundations of houses and tulsi pedestals.

Close to the temple, Dolmen, Menhirs, and other stone structures can be found.

A few kilometers away from the Shree Someshwar temple was the ancient Mahadev temple constructed during the Kadamba period (10 – 11 Century AD). The temple facing complete submersion was transplanted from its original location to its current location 17 kms away next to the Salaulim dam. It was systematically dismantled piece by piece and rejoined again. The marking made on the temple rocks is still visible. The whole process took 11 years to complete.

Even today, in summers Kurdi and Kurpem, have beautiful valleys with green mountainous views. The Curdi Village can be visited only in the month of May, rest all other months this village is surrounded by water.

Traces of village infrastructure mostly belonging to the Portuguese era are still visible. Remains provide information on village life. Some of the evidence visible even today are :
Tarred road, Culverts, and nullahs, Temple, Church, School, A building that once housed a police outpost, grocery shop, and a tea shop.