The revival of the historic Koti Tirth Corridor at Divar formally began with an Udakshanti and Ganga Pujan ceremony on September 4, marking a significant step towards restoring and developing the sacred heritage site.
Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, Union Minister of State Shripad Naik, and other dignitaries participated in the ceremony held at the Shri Saptakoteshwar and Shri Koti Tirth Sthan, Divar, Tiswadi.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Sawant announced that the Koti Tirth Corridor Vikas Project will be completed within one year, setting a clear deadline for the restoration and development works.
The project aims to revive the historic Koti Tirth and Saptakoteshwar heritage area at Pone Tirth, while preserving its religious, cultural and architectural significance. The development will also focus on strengthening the surrounding heritage infrastructure and creating a culturally significant space for devotees and visitors.
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Reviving Divar’s Sacred Heritage
The Koti Tirth Corridor project is envisioned as more than a tourism development initiative. It seeks to restore the cultural landscape associated with Shri Saptakoteshwar and Koti Tirth, while reconnecting the area with its centuries-old religious and historical traditions.
Divar, historically referred to as Deepavati Kshetra, holds a prominent place in Goa’s religious history. Ancient traditions and references in the Sahyadri Khanda of the Skanda Purana describe the region as an important centre of pilgrimage and worship.
The wider sacred landscape around the Mandovi and Zuari rivers has historically been associated with pilgrimage, sacred water bodies, and temple traditions, giving the region a distinctive place in Goa’s cultural history.
A Legacy of Saptakoteshwar
The Shri Saptakoteshwar Temple has deep historical connections with Goa and the Kadamba period. The temple is associated with the Kadamba-Nagara Prasad architectural tradition, reflecting the influence of the architectural traditions that flourished in Goa during the medieval period.
The history of the shrine also reflects the destruction and reconstruction of Goa’s sacred heritage over several centuries. Historical accounts note the destruction of the temple during periods of invasion, followed by reconstruction under successive rulers.
The temple was subsequently destroyed during Portuguese rule in the 16th century. Centuries later, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj undertook the reconstruction of the Saptakoteshwar temple at Narve in the 17th century.
The Koti Tirth Corridor initiative seeks to build on this long history by restoring the wider sacred landscape and strengthening the connection between present-day Goa and its heritage.
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From Mahadevachi Talli to Koti Tirth
The corridor is planned as part of a larger cultural and riverine heritage landscape connecting historically significant sites.
The proposed corridor encompasses Mahadevachi Talli, an ancient sacred tank, Koti Tirth, associated with divine worship, and the Hatkeshwar Ghats, creating a continuous cultural route linking sacred water bodies, temples, and riverfront spaces.
The project’s vision is to create living heritage spaces rather than simply developing conventional tourist attractions. The focus is on allowing visitors and local communities to experience Goa’s history, traditions and sacred landscape in an integrated manner.
Project to Be Implemented in Two Phases
The Koti Tirth Corridor Vikas Project will be implemented in two phases, with the first phase focused on preserving the site’s heritage and strengthening its cultural identity.
The first phase will include preservation of the ancient tank and construction of a temple museum, helping safeguard the physical remnants of the area’s history. A dedicated centre will also be developed to document the history of Goa’s sacred heritage and its destruction over the centuries.
A key component of the first phase will be the reconstruction of Shri Saptakoteshwar Temple in the historic Kadamba architectural style, aimed at establishing a lasting connection between the region’s past and present.
The second phase will focus on the revival and reconstruction of temple tanks, ceremonial pathways and river ghats, further developing the wider sacred landscape around Koti Tirth.
This phased approach seeks to transform the historic site into a living cultural and heritage space, while retaining its religious significance for devotees and future generations.
CM Sawant Sets One-Year Deadline
With the Udakshanti and Ganga Pujan marking the beginning of the latest phase, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant has set a one-year completion target for the Koti Tirth Corridor project.
The initiative represents the Goa Government’s broader focus on preserving the state’s cultural identity while developing heritage destinations that can contribute to tourism, local participation and community-based cultural revival.
For Divar, the project is expected to bring renewed attention to a landscape that has remained deeply connected to Goa’s religious history for centuries.
The Koti Tirth Corridor is therefore being positioned not merely as an infrastructure project, but as an effort to restore a historic sacred landscape and carry Goa’s cultural legacy into the future.
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