Purushottam Baba Kenkre

There was a rich family in Kumbharjuve. The family was involved in tobacco business. Purushottam Baban Kenkre was born in this family in the year 1812. He made monumental contributions to the community in Goa and otherwise.

He won powers for Hindus of Goa to represent in the “Raj Sabha”. He was member of the commission appointed by Portuguese government in the year 1840. During that time frame the Saraswat Bramin Community in Goa was divided. Shri Purushottam Baba laboured hard, travelled from town to town and house to house and to unite the community. He exposed the mis-administration at Hindu Temples and brought to the government’s notice. In 1851, the government appointed him the Government’s Representative for administration of Temples and Mosques. The King of Portugal bestowed on him the honour of “Cavaleiro de ordem Torres Espada do valor Lealdoda C Merito” in the year 1853.

In the year 1857, Goa did not receive sufficient rains. Shri Purshottam Baba requested the people to suggest their needs for grains for the following year. He bought grains worth lakhs of rupees and distributed these cheap or free to the poor. Because of this action, the Portuguese Kingdom bestowed on him the honour of “Official de ordem do criesto”.

In the year 1859, he published a book in Portuguese language, responding to criticism of Manu Smriti from a Portuguese Author.

He remained an important and an honest adviser to the government. In the year 1872, the Prince of Portugal visited Goa to settle a revolt. He paid respect to Shri Purshottam Baba by visiting his house at Kalapur. This is the only example in the history of Goa where a royal honoured any local resident. In the year 1873, the government honoured him with the title of “Barao de Calapore“.

Shri Purushottam Baba once went to Kashi along with 60 other people. The British Viceroy from Calcutta gave him police protection during the tour. He purchased a huge piece of land at Kashi and donated it at the feet of Kashi Vishweshwar. Income from this land goes towards the worship of the lord.

On all Maha Shivratris even to this date, the first puja is performed in the name of Ahillyabai Holkar and second puja is in the name of family of Shri Purushottam Baba. The priests call out for people from Kenkre family attending the Maha Shivratri puja. At Kashi, Shri Purushottam Baba arranged for regularly supply of Ganga water from Kashi to Srikshetra Mangeshi. The family of Shri Tejnarayan Mishra has taken up this responsibility. Accordingly, one priest from this Mishra family brings a Kavad of Ganga Water to Goa every year. This has been happening regularly for more than a century now. Shri Rudraji Jagannath Shenvi Kenkre adds that the priest returning from Goa drops in a bottle of Ganga water at his home in Mumbai since 1965; that’s when his father migrated to Mumbai from Goa.

Shri Purushottam Baba passed away in the year 1874. When he was ill and bed ridden, the priests of Shri Mangeshi Devasthan took Shri Mangesh palanquin to his home without pre informing him. Shri Purushottam Baba upsurge emotionally. After touching the lord’s feet, he presented his wife’s box full of ornaments at lord’s feet.

People from this family earn dignity of Chairmanship of management of Shri Mangesh Devasthan:

1. Shri Vishnu Bhaskar Shenvi Kenkre
2. Shri Vaman Vishnu Shenvi Kenkre
3. Shri Fatba Baburao Shenvi Kenkre
4. Shri Ramchandra Pundalik Shenvi Kenkre
5. Shri Bhalchandra Fataba Shenvi Kenkre
6. Shri Baban Ramchandra Shenvi Kenkre

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By Madhusudan Kekre