Royal Ride: Goa state museum to conserve 250-yr-old chariot

Panaji, May 24: A 250-year-old chariot dating to the Portuguese era would now be restored to its past glory by the Goa government with the help of conservationists.

State government-run Goa State Museum (GSM) has sought help from Mysore-based Regional Conservation Laboratory (RCL) to restore one of the oldest wooden chariots, currently on display at the museum premises.

"The chariot needs conservation as it is an important piece of history," GSM Director Radha Bhave said.

The chariot earlier belonged to Shree Chandreshwar Bhootnath Temple, located 44 kms away from here at Gudi-Paroda village. Having wooden carvings on it, the chariot was used to ferry Lord Chandranath during festivals at the temple. The museum authorities had taken possession of the four-wheel chariot almost 12 years back when the temple wanted to replace it with a new one.

The 10-odd feet long chariot has been the only exhibit of such a kind in Goa State Museum.

The chariot was brought here in a dismantled state and was later assembled by the experts, Bhave said, adding that they have been in communication with the RCL to restore the wooden marvel.

PTI