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Time of India
07-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Highway drainage flaws flood Ponda's Safa Masjid
Panaji: The iconic Safa Masjid in Ponda is facing serious challenges following this month's surge in rainfall. A technical flaw in the newly-constructed highway near the Kadamba bus stand is being blamed, as rainwater from the road is flowing directly into the mosque's premises, flooding its lawns and the centuries-old water tank. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'There is no proper slope for the water to flow,' said Rajesh Nayak, former sarpanch of Bandora. 'The flaw in the engineering design has allowed the rainwater to accumulate and rush into the masjid's gardens, ultimately flooding the tank. We have verbally communicated with engineers of the contractor hired by the PWD to rectify this issue at the earliest, but are still awaiting visible action,' he said. Constructed in 1560 by Ibrahim Ali Adil Shah, the Safa Masjid is one of the last surviving remnants of Islamic architecture in Goa. Next to the mosque lies a historic water tank known for its unique mihrab-style arches that once served as hammams (bathing niches). These arches, each approximately 2.2m by 1.2m — except for the smaller ones near the stairs — are now being submerged. 'The rainwater carries mud and dirt from the road into the tank. This tank has long supported a delicate aquatic ecosystem, including fish, turtles, and crabs, all of which are now threatened by the polluted inflow,' said Safa Masjid committee president, Murtuza Mulla. The tank is also a vital element of the mosque's daily religious practices, serving as a source of clean water for ablutions. The committee has been seeking assistance from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the agency responsible for protecting the site, to intervene in the matter. 'Multiple attempts to talk to the ASI have been futile. We are now awaiting communication from them so that we can continue to protect the archaeological site,' said Mulla.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Archaeological Survey of India to Restore Damaged Mihrab Structure at Safa Masjid in Ponda
Panaji: After months of delay and neglect, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will begin repairs on the damaged mihrab structure surrounding the centuries-old water tank at Safa Masjid in Ponda. Built in 1560 by Ibrahim Ali Adil Shah, the masjid features an ornate tank lined with niche-like arches, once used as hammams. The rain submerged parts of the tank, creating ideal conditions for crabs to burrow into the structure, causing visible cavities. 'We noticed the leakages at Safa Masjid. We have also noticed the dismantling of the stones on some of its arches. We are planning to restore the same,' Abhijit Ambekar, superintending archaeologist holding additional charge in Goa, told TOI . TOI reported on Oct 14, 2024, that the ornate niche structure enveloping the tank — called the mihrab — developed cavities, drilled in by the crabs in the tank. At the time, ASI officials stressed that there was no immediate threat to the tank's stability. However, the ASI-appointed caretakers at the site voiced their concerns about the impact of vibrations caused by rumblers installed on the nearby national highway on the aquatic life of the tank. They said it was prompting crabs to dig into the structure for shelter during the day. The centuries-old tank has been a habitat for fish, turtles, and crabs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ready to feel better in your body? WAYT-less® is a weight loss tablet that could support your goals. Nu Image Medical Shop Now Undo 'At the time, the priority of the ASI was to complete the preparations for the Exposition of the relics of St Francis Xavier, which was held at Old Goa from Nov 21, 2024, to Jan 5, 2025. Due to this, the upkeep of other monuments could not be prioritised. Funding was also awaited to take up work at other ASI buildings in Goa,' sources said. At the recently observed World Heritage Day on April 18, Ambekar announced a series of works that will be taken up by the ASI Goa circle this financial year.
