Under The Tree: MUMBAI TRAVELS: KHOTACHIWADI An architecture that paints a thousand stories.

Found this little gem hidden in the district Kamathipura in a village called Girgaon (not Gurgoun) right smack in Mumbai.

Actually when I stepped into this colony I just felt like I was transported to Goa. One is welcomed by Portuguese styled homes with a cute chapel right smack on on your path. My wife Greeja and I went there almost about 11.00am and were greeted with the fragrance of fish curry coming from one of the houses. Residence of this colony were friendly and greeted us with smiles around.

This enclave currently houses Catholics, of both Maharashtrians and East Indians. Originally this settlement was inhabited by local fisherfolks, Portuguese migrant from Goa, East India company's immigrants.

The village apparently was founded in the 18th century when a local resident called Dadoma Waman Khot leased this piece of land to a group of East Indian Christian families. Originally there had 65 homes but now it has dwindled to 27 only.

Kothachiwadi can been loosely translated as "The Garden of Khot," and was officially adapted by the community in 1880 in honour of Dadoma Wan Khot (who incidentally is a Brahmin).

Th wooden houses typically has Portuguese styled architecture, where it has large open front porch, a back courtyard and very uniquely external stairs leading to top floors. The original wood were imported fro Burma. The walls were made of limestone and sand.

The origins of this settlement was based on the concept of "Gavthan" meaning a self sustaining village, where this hamlet had it's own onion cultivation (Khandivadi), Mango farm (Ambevadi) and jackfruit farm (Phanasvadi). This agrarian community did not only sustain Kothachiwadi at one time but also provided for the district of Girgoun.

The Chapel was constructed in 1899, as a part of the community's thanks giving aftermath the plague where this community was spared to a larger extent.

One of the famous sons of Kothachiwadi is fashion designer James Ferreiera, who has been instrumental in setting up the Kothachiwadi Welfare and Heritage Trust (KWHT), which have been striving very hard to preserve this enclave from development.

Development is every where, how long will this little treasure will withstand the onslaught is anybody's guess. For now KWHT is fighting hard with both residence as well as developers to protect this little piece of heritage that has stood against time.