Chandor, once the site of ancient Chandrapura, is today the forgotten capital of Goa. The Branganza family has been living here in the Branganza Heritage House for a pretty long time. There are two different monuments of their ancestors near the Chandor church, where one monument is of the Menezes Branganza family and the other monument is of the Branganza Pereira family. These heritage monuments are relics of a past era that connect us to our past history. Incidentally, the Branganza family members are descendants of the freedom fighter and journalist Luis de Menezes Branganza who played an active role in the freedom movement to end the Portuguese colonial occupation of Goa. There was also Tristao de Branganza Cunha and Bertha de Menezes Branganza who led the liberation movement, and our children today are still learning of the past history through books in school.
The sad part is both the families are not interested in the upkeep of these historical monuments. The place wears a pathetic look with trees, drunks urinating on it and shoppers throwing garbage beside it, which looks disrespectful. The Branganza family is only interested in its famous house where visitors and film industry people come for shooting, where the owners get income. Visitors park their vehicles on the main road disturbing traffic and the buses are parked on church property. The family should know that because of their brave ancestors they have a name in the village and throughout the state of Goa.
The owners should protect this site by building a boundary wall which will help preserve the area from damage and unauthorised access. Additionally, installing an informative board detailing the site’s history, including important names, dates and years, will educate visitors and promote cultural heritage awareness.
