Goa land of cows & yoga, not land of pleasure: CM Pramod Sawant

Panaji: Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, claimed on Saturday that his state is not a land for pleasure but the land of cows, yoga and devotion, India Today reported.

Also a BJP leader, Sawant said that Goa is a "yog bhoomi" (land of devotion and yoga) and "go-mata bhoomi" (land of cows) instead of "bhog bhoomi" (the land of pleasure).

India Today quoted the minister, "Earlier, whenever people used to come to Goa, they used to think that this is bhog bhoomi (land of pleasure). But, this is not bhog bhoomi, it is yog bhoomi (land of devotion and yoga) instead. This is go-mata bhoomi...Over here, there is the ashram of Sanatan Sanstha as well."

He then claimed that Goa’s culture and ancient temples have become a major draw for tourists, who earlier visited the coastal state for “sun, sand and sea”.

“In the past, people visited Goa to witness sun, sand, and sea. That has changed now. Tourists are arriving here to experience our rich culture and grand temples,” PTI quoted Sawant from his speech at the ‘Shankhnad Mahotsav' organised by Sanatan Sanstha at Ponda.

He said Goa has the cleanest and most beautiful temples, which have become an attraction for visitors.

“The government has no involvement in the management of the temples in the state,” he said.

He praised the Sanstha, headquartered in Ramnathi village in North Goa, for “making people spiritually conscious” and promoting Sanatan Dharma through various platforms.

With PTI inputs.