Sandwiched between the two warring powers, the island, which was considered as no man's land was often used as a launching pad for attacks on each other by the two aggressors.

After Cumbarjua was captured, the Portuguese began to develop it and the then Governor Diogo Lopes de Sequeira in 1545 handed it over to a Catholic priest Fr.

After the sale and change of ownership, the Mangueshi temple committee imposed heavy taxes on the residents of the island.

[2] Marcel and Cumbarjua have long hosted the Sangodd, a water parade that features floats created by tying two boats to each other.

The Hindu families comprised Goud Saraswat caste of Smarth and Vaishnau, Daivajnas, blacksmiths, carpenters, Kunbis, Gaudas, potters, washermen, fishermen and cobblers.

Cumbarjua is also famous for its annual sangodd (boat festival), which is celebrated on the seventh day of Ganesh Chaturthi.