Loutolim


Loutolim or Loutulim Lottli pronounced:, Portuguese: Loutulim) is a large village of South Goa district in the state of Goa, India. It is an important settlement in the Salcete sub-district.

Etymology

Loutolim derives its name from Lovótollem, coined from the Konkani words—Lovó, a type of grass and Tollem, a pond—since those grasses used to grow abundantly around the pond. In Konkani, the local language, the village is known as Lottli and its native inhabitants are referred to as Lottlikar.

History

According to a legend, Brahmins from northern India founded the settlement of Loutolim when they emigrated to Goa after the Saraswati River in their homeland dried up.
The village community was based around the temple of Shri Ramnath. There were other smaller temples dedicated to Shri Santeri in the village. A new temple of Shri Ramnath was built recently at the same spot. The original idol of Shri Ramnath now stands in a temple of Indo-Portuguese architecture at Bandora, that had been built during the eighteenth century AD.
Beginning from the 1500s, the Jesuits undertook the task of the Christianisation of Salcete and in AD 1567, the Portuguese captain of Rachol Fort,
Dom Diogo Rodrigues ordered the burning and destruction of all the temples in the village. Many villagers were tenaciously attached to their Hindu religion. In order to preserve their culture, they had to flee to safer grounds in the territories governed by the Hindu King, the Sonde Raja, across the Zuari River with their idols, most famously the idol of Shri Ramnath in what was later known as the Novas Conquistas. Those who chose to remain behind had to embrace Christianity. The Salvador do Mundo church was built by the Jesuits in AD 1586 to look after the spiritual needs of the local converts.
Unlike some other villages and towns in Salcete and Bardez, where churches were built over the demolished temples, in Loutolim, the plot of land where the old Shri Ramnath temple stood remained vacant due to some opposition among the locals.
Today, Loutolim has a mixed population of Christians and Hindus, many of them of Goud Saraswat Brahmin lineage.

Geography and demographics

Location

Loutolim is located approximately from Margao, the headquarters of South Goa district. It has an average elevation of and is situated in Salcete. It’s beautiful, scenic surroundings, cool breeze, green hills and blue rivers are distinct to its location between the hills, fields and river. The river Zuari flows along one side of Loutolim and it is surrounded by the villages of Verna, Raia, Camorlim, Borim and Quelosim. The village is easily accessible by road from Margao, Ponda and Cortalim.

Language

The Saxtti dialect of Konkani, belonging to the Indo-European family of languages, is the local language and spoken widely by the people of Loutolim. Konkani, is primarily written in the Latin script. Portuguese is spoken by the elite and older generations including the ones with Portuguese ancestry. English is spoken by all and is compulsorily taught in schools.

Architecture

Loutolim is among one of Goa’s delightful villages, with lush green paddy fields and tranquil village roads that lie under a canopy of forest trees. Architectural relics of Goa’s grand Portuguese heritage can be seen around the unhurried village of Loutolim, some 10 km northeast of Margao. The centre of the village is the majestic whitewashed Church of Salvador do Mundo, one of Goa's most impressive Mannerist Neo-Roman-style churches built in 1586.

Culture

Religion

As in other parts of Goa, in Loutolim, both Hindus and Catholics live together in peace and harmony, mingling with each other during their religious festivals. The religious activities of the Catholics are centred around the Saviour of the World church while those of the Hindus are centred around the Sri Ramnath temple. The Feast of Saviour of the World Church is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of November every year.
The Chapels located in the Loutulim parish are Our Lady of the Rosary in Carvota, Our Lady of Miracles in Vanxem, Mother of God in Devoti, Saint Sebastian on the Monte, Saint Benedict in Organv and Saint Joseph in Rasaim.

Food and beverages

is influenced by Hindu Gaud Saraswat Brahmin origins and Portuguese cuisine as well as a blend of modern techniques. Locals enjoy rice with fish curry, which is the staple diet in Goa. Coconut and coconut oil are widely used in cooking along with chili peppers, spices and vinegar, giving the food a unique flavour. Various seafood delicacies include kingfish, pomfret, shark, tuna and mackerel are also popular. Pork dishes such as vindaloo, chouriço and sorpotel are a legacy of the Portuguese.
The most popular alcoholic beverage in Goa is feni. Cashew feni is made from the fermentation of the fruit of the cashew tree, while coconut feni is made from the sap of toddy palms. The people also drink wine, especially on feast days.

Education and social welfare

The Educational Institutions based in the parish are Saviour of the world high school, Don Bosco higher secondary school and the Don Bosco crafts Institute.
The Social welfare activities include The Saint Xavier boarding for girls and Shanti Avedna Hospice for the terminally ill.

Notable people

Attractions