Temples in Goa
Shri Shantadurga, Kavlem
Shri Shantadurga, Kavlem This temple is the largest and most popular temple in Goa.
It was built in 1713 and dedicated to the "Goddess ShantaDurga".
According to a legend, Lord vishnu and shiva were engaged in a fierce battle. At the insistence of Lord Brahma, the Goddess Jagdamba appeared and calmed the fiery combatants.
Thus, the Goddess came to be known as Shantadurga ( peace-maker).
The beautifully constructed pagoda like temple has a distinct influence of European architecture. In front of the entrance is the six storeyed Lamp Tower ( deepmal ). Marble is used in the interiors of the temple while magnificent chandeliers add to the beauty of the shrine.
A pair of dwarpals (guardian deities) embossed on the silver screen flank the Gabhara (Sanctum), where an impressive idol of Shantadurga stands between the images of Vishnu and Shiva. An imposing dome crowns the main area, which was built in 1738, by the Maratha Ruler Shahu Raja.
After worshipping at the main sanctum the devotees visit the subsidiary shrine where the Goddess Shantadurga sleeps.
The annual Jatra festival of the temple is celebrated in the month of February.
The temple has agrashalas, which provide lodging facilities to the devotees.
Shri Mahalsa, Mardol The temple is dedicated to Mohini a female form of Lord Vishnu.
According to Hindu mythology, when amrit (a potion for immortality) was obtained after churning of sea by devas (gods) and asuras (demons). A battle was fought between the gods and demons for the possession of amrit, it seemed that the demons might win and become immortal with amrit.
So, Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini, the most beautiful women ever and lured the demons by her beauty and took away the pot of amrit from them and handed over to gods.
This beautiful temple was constructed in 1567, its courtyard is dominated by a seven storeyed deepmal or lamp tower, besides which is a 12.5 metres high deepa stambha (oil lamp) made of five metal (panchalayi) which is considered to be the largest of its kind in the world. It symbolises the mythological churning of sea, where mount kailash was used as a churning stick, which was placed on the back of tortoise Kurma (featured at the base of the lamp), the second form of Lord Vishnu. Vasuki, the serpent was wound around mount kailasha, as a churning rope and the sea was churned to retrieve the treasures of the world lost in the Great Flood. On top of the lamp is Garuda, the celestial vehicle of Lord Vishnu. The lamp is lit on every sunday evenings.
The interiors of the temple are very impressive with intricately carved huge wooden pillars and slatted windows. The worship hall of the temple has painted carvings of the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu which are quite interesting. The main sanctum has a silver frame on its doorway inside which is the idol of the presiding deity draped in red and yellow silk. The temple has a red pyramidal roof in typical oriental style.
To the west of the temple a flight of steps leads down to a water tank, besides a sacred peepal tree. The scenic views behind the temple with palm trees and paddy field are breath taking.
The main festivals celebrated here are the Vijayarathotssava, popularly known as Mahalsa Jatra (February) and Navratri (Sep./Oct.)
Shri Nagesh, Bandora Built in 1413, Shri Nagesh is one of the most ancient temples in Goa. This temple is dedicated to Lord Naguesh an aspect of Lord Shiva.
In front of the temple is an inscription in marathi script, indicating the year 1335 of the shalivahana saka, corresponding to 1413 AD, as the time of construction of the shrine. A stone sculpture of the Nandi Bull, the vehicle of Lord Shiva is set at the entrance of the main shrine.
The worship hall of the temple has pillars with colourfully painted intricate woodcarvings narrating stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. On either side of the sanctum are ancillary shrines of Lakshmi- Narayan and Lord Ganesh.
The temple has a five-storied Deepstambh (lamp tower). Also the centuries old water tank(Kunda) is also worth watching. The reservoir is built in such a way that from a certain location, one can see the reflection of the idol of Lord Naguesh and the lighted lamps in the inner sanctum.
The temple is the oldest in the region and of considerable archaeological importance, as it was never touched by the Portuguese vandals.
Festivals
The Naguesh jatra (festival) is celebrated here on full moon (Pournima) and the Anguish Satrap festival is celebrated here during the month of November.
Shri Mahalaxmi, Bandode The temple is considered to be the abode of the original Goddess of the Shakti cult.
The stone plaques found in the temple indicate that the shrine has been in existence since 1413. The temple was rebuilt in 1913 but the old outline and the architectural style was retained.
The idol at temple of Mahalaxmi in Colva(Salcete taluka) was also brought here in 16th century, to avoid persecution during the Portuguese inquisition era. It is said that Safto and Fato, the two devotees brought the idol in trunk and first took it to the town of Talauli near Ponda, where the sign of the feet of the goddess is still worshipped.
There are also idols of Shri Ravalnath. Shri Baleshwar, Shri Narayan purush and the two devotees Safti and Fato.
The Sabha Mandap has gallery of 18 images, out of 24 images of emanatory aspects of Bhagvata sect. This rich collection of intricately carved wooden images of Vishnu are quite unique and cannot be seen anywhere else in the country. The image of Mahalaxmi has a close resemblance to that of Mahalaxmi at Kolhapur (Maharashtra), the main center of Mahalaxmi worship.
The Goddess Mahalaxmi was worshipped by the Shilahra rulers (750-1030 A.D) and the early Kadamba kings of Goa.
Festivals
The main festivals celebrated here are Ramnavami and Mahashivratri.
On Ramanavami day, the idol of Goddess Mahalaxmi from Colva is taken out in a procession, while on the second day of the festival, both the idols of Mahalaxmi are taken out in one chariot to be paraded in the huge procession.
On the auspicious day of Mahashivratri the main idol of Mahalaxmi is taken out on a chariot carried on the shoulders of devotees.
Shri Mangesh, Priol Situated at Priol in Ponda, The temple is dedicated to Lord Mangeshi( a form of Shiva ). It was Built in 18th Century and is a local landmark and one of the most important Hindu temples.
Lord Shiva came to Goa after losing everything in a game of dice against his wife, Parvati. When Parvati came looking for him, he disguised himself as a tiger and frightened her. In a state of shock, Parvati uttered the words, "Trahi Mam Grisha" ("O Lord of the Mountains, save me"). Shiva then reverted into his normal form and returned with her. The words, "Mam Grisha" came to be associated with this story and Shiva came to be known as Mangirish or 'Mangesh'.
The Manguesh Linga left to mark this sacred spot was eventually discovered by a Shepherd and was placed here in 1565 and was enlarged in the mid 18th century.
The Manguesh linga is placed in the main silver sanctum, flanked by a solid gold idol and is illuminated by oil lamps.
There are also shrines dedicated to Lakshmi-Narayan, Satiri, and Mulkeshwar behind the main temple.
The courtyard of the temple is dominated by a seven storied DeepStambha (Lamp Tower), which is undoubtedly most impressive in Goa.
The interior is illuminated with graceful chandeliers, which is quite unlike hindu temples and gives a church like appearance.
Accommodation is provided in several Agarshalas in the courtyard for the pilgrims.
The large water tank in front of the temple is illuminated with lights with lighted cups that casts dazzling reflections on the water during the festivals.
The Annual Jatra Festival is held in the last week of january or first week of february.
Shri Kamakshi Temple, Bandode The temple of Goddess Kamakshi is at Shiroda village on the southern side in Ponda taluka, about 40 kms. From Panaji.
According to Hindu mythology, Shri Kamakshi, was brought here from Kaurang (Kanchi).
Originally, the temple was at Raia in Salcete taluka and was later shifted here.
There are also images of Betal and Kalbhirav inside the main temple.
A subsidiary shrine of Rayeshwara is located in the temple complex.
People from all communities of Raia venerate the Goddess Kamakshi and visit Shiroda.
Shri Mahadev Temple at Tambdi Surla Situated amidst beautiful natural surroundings with river surla flowing closely at Tambdi surla in Sanguem. This temple was built in the 13th Century and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The temple has a touch of Kadamba architecture, only of such kind in Goa. It has been built with black basalt stone which is not found anywhere in Goa and must have been transported across the Western Ghats from the Deccan Plateau.
The exquisite carvings inside the temple are still fresh and reminds the grandeur of the Goa's Hindu arhcitectural legacy.
The pillars and walls of the temple are significant, as they are fully carved. The temple has a simple front elevation. The temple tower (Shikara) has the images of Lord Shiva facing the north, Lord Vishnu facing the west and Lord Brahma the south.
At the centre of the temple is a statue of the Nandi (Lord Shiva's vehicle) however, the head of the Nandi no longer exists, suggesting that there were attacks made on the temple
To experience pre-historic era a visit to this temple is a must.
