It is famous for the Navdurga Temple which is renowned for its unique idol of the goddess, which features a tilted head. The temple is also known for hosting an annual festival called "Zatra of Goddess Navdurga" or just "Zatra" which takes place around November each year, specifically on Kartik Shukla Paksha Ashtami. The temple is also known for the controversy, which began in 2016, over a decision to replace the temple idol. This decision led to a legal and social dispute between the BrahminMahajans and local Bahujan villagers over temple ownership and control.[3][4]
Population
The 2011 census sets the population at 6,215 people of which 3,072 were females and 3,143 were males with a total sex ratio of 977 females to 1000 males. Population of children with the ages of 0-6 was 523 which came to 8.42% of the total population.[5]
Schedule Tribe (ST) constituted to about 36.23% and Schedule Caste (SC) constituted about 0.37% of the population.[5]
Religion
The town has a Hindu majority of 96.46%, the minorities, of which 2.91% are Christian and 0.45% are Muslim.[5]
History
The Battle of Madkai
The Battle of Madkai, which likely occurred around 1380, was a significant but overlooked conflict in the history of Goa and the Konkan region. This battle involved the forces of Mahapradhan Mallapodeyar, the Vijayanagar Viceroy of Kanara, and a coalition of local kshatriya chieftains under the leadership of the Kadambas, known as the "konkaniga" in Vijayanagar sources. The battle was part of the Vijayanagar Empire's efforts to expand its control over the strategically important Konkan region.[2]
Madkai, known today as Marcaim, was a key location in this conflict due to its strategic positioning and the presence of a fortress on Madkai Hill, built and controlled by the influential Nayak family. Nagan Nayak, a prominent figure in the region, was the Desai of the Antruz Mahal, a title denoting significant local authority. The Nayak family's support for the Vijayanagar Empire in this battle appears likely, given the rewards they received afterward. Nagan Nayak was granted the prestigious title of Sardesai of South Goa, which included control over key territories such as Supe, Khanapur, and Chandgad.[2]
Madkai’s strategic importance lay in its fortress, which provided a crucial vantage point for controlling the surrounding region and key trade routes connecting the coast to inland areas. The battle and its outcome significantly influenced the power dynamics in the region, solidifying Vijayanagar's control and elevating the Nayak family’s status.[2]
According to the 2011 census, Marcaim received upto 3630.42mm of rainfall. The average temperatures hitting a maximum of 31.53 C and a minimum of 23.51 C.[6]
Economy
Of the total population, about 4% and 2.6% identified as agricultural laborers and cultivators respectively, while 41.7% identified as main or marginal workers.[6]
Marcaim is home to the Madkai industrial estate and its most important commodity manufactured is Steel, Pharmaceutical Products and House Utensils.[6]
Institutions
Marcaim has the following number of educational institutions:[6]
Primary
Middle
Secondary /
matriculation
Senior secondary
College
13
3
3
2
0
Madkai Navdurga Temple conflict
In 2016, the temple's managing body, the Navadurga Sansthan Committee decided to replace the temple's idol, claiming that it had developed cracks. The Committee is composed mainly of Goud Saraswat Brahmins or GSB Mahajans. This decision was strongly opposed by the local villagers, who formed the Shri Devi Navadurga Prathishtan Trust, arguing that the idol and the temple belong to the public rather than being a private property of the Mahajans.[3][4]
This soon escalated into a broader debate over the ownership and control of the temple, reflecting underlying social tensions between the Brahmin Mahajans and the Bahujan (non-Brahmin) villagers. The villagers asserted that the temple has always been a public entity and that they had the right to preserve the existing idol and participate in temple rituals, which the Mahajans had traditionally controlled..[3][4]
The Mahajans assert that the temple belongs to them, stating it was built when they migrated to Marcaim. In contrast, the villagers argue that the Mahajans gained their status by exploiting their privileged caste position to register under the controversial 19th century Portuguese-era Lei das Mazanias, a law which regulated temple administration and property rights. The villagers state that the temple rightfully belongs to the entire village.[3][4]
The conflict has led to legal battles, with the issue being taken to court multiple times. As of 2023, the case has yet to be fully resolved, but it continues to be a significant point of contention in the community.[3][4]
In the news
In January 2024, At the Madkai-Ponda Farmers Convention, farmers demanded amendments to the Kul Mundkar Act to address longstanding land ownership issues. They criticized the Act for favoring landlords and causing difficulties in proving land rights. The Act, initially designed to protect land tillers, is seen as outdated and unjust. The farmers called for revisions to ensure landlords must substantiate ownership claims, rather than relying on the 1/14 form, which they argue is inadequate. Support came from Madkai Sarpanch Shailendar Panajikar and advocate Sadananad Vaigankar, who highlighted historical challenges and the need for fairer land ownership regulations.[7]
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