Goa - Temples

Goa Sun, Sand, Sea....

Shri Bhagavati It is 28kms. in Pernem. The temple, situated by the side of the main road, is said to be more than 500 years old. Two life size images of elephants in standing position, made of blackstone, on either side at the entrance, welcome visitors. The Goddess Bhagavati Ashtabhuja in a sanding position on a high pedestal, is very imposing. The Dusshera is celebrated with gaiety from Asvin Shuddha Pratipada to Poornima, when over 25 thousand devotees assemble at the temple. Shri Bhagatvati Temple at Parshem Situated at a distance of 7kms. from Pernem in Pernem Taluka, the complex has five temples, main temple being Shri Bhagavati, other temples are of Shri Sateri, Shridev Ravalnath, Shri Dev Bhivangi Panchakshari & Bhrama (Shri Vishnu, Shri Ganapati, Shri Shankar), Devi Bhagavati Temple has two Deepstambha unique of its kind. Main festivals are Dusshera & annual yatra. . Brahma Temple It is 7kms. from Valpoi, in the village of Carambolim Brahma. This Shrine belongs to the 5ht century A.D. It is one of the few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma found in India.   Shri Chandranath It is 45kms, it is situated on the top of 350m high hill of Chandranath at Paroda, Quepem. Chandreshwar was titular deity of Bhoja Kings who ruled south Goa before the Christian era till the middle of 8th century. They had named their capital Chandrapur after their deity. Shivalinga is carved out from the rock which oozes water whenever rays of moon fall on it. The temple is so designed that Linga receives moon light on every full moon. The temple commands a panoramic view and its surroundings are enchanting. Temple's ancient chariot is well known for its wood carvings.   Shri Damodar  It is 22kms, from Margoa at Zambaulim -- Sanguem, situated in picturesque surroundings on the banks of the Kushavati river, popular known as Panti. Near the temple the river is regarded particularly holy and is said to have medicinal properties. The deity is worshipped by the Hindus and Christians alike. A weeklong celebration of Shimoga is packed with programmes which includes a colourful fair, exchange of GULAL, collective meals and presentation of shown on popular legends and folk culture. The deity was originally in Margoa. Shri Datta Mandir It is 37kms, at Sanquelim. The century old temple of Trimurthy (Hindu triad) has a backdrop of a beautiful hillock covered with dense groves of areca palms. The most important festival, which is attended by devotees from allover Goa, is Datta Jayanti which falls in the month of December. The deity is believed to have cured many people of unsound mind. Shri Gopal Ganapati It is 26kms. At Farmagudi, Ponda, amidst beautiful natural surroundings near Bandora. The Portuguese Viceroy attacked the fort of Ponda in October, 1683 but had to beat a hasty retreat at sudden appearance of the Maratha image of Gopal Ganapati was discovered by herdsmen while grazing the cattle near the hill and Later installed in small shrine with a thatched roof. The temple was built by late Shri Dayanand Balkrishna Bandodkar, an inhabitant of the place and the Chief Minister of Goa. The idol, made of metal alloy, was consecrated on April 24, 1966. It is a good specimen of Indian temple architecture synthesising both ancient and modern. Shri Kalikadevi It is 14kms. from the Mapusa at Kansarpal. It is said to be about eight hundred year old. Divided into outer halls, supported on seven rows of four pillars, has a stage to perform dramas on festive occasions. The inner shrine contains the revered image of the Goddess 'Kali', a fierce form of Devi. Agrashalas (Rest Houses) surrounding the temple provide facilities for lodging to the devotees. Temple of Shri Mahadeva at Tambdi Surla 66kms, in Sanguem Taluka at the foot of the Ghats, is the only specimen of Kadamba-Yadava architecture (13th century) in basalt stone preserved and available in Goa. A motorable road connects Sancordem to this temple complex. Shri Mahalakshmi  Situated in village of Bandode, about 4kms. from Ponda. It is considered the abode of the original Goddess of the Shakti cult. The Sabhamandap has a gallery of 18 images, out of 24 images of emanatory aspects of Bhagvata sect, which is considered one of the rare galleries of wooden images of Vishnu in India. The image of Mahalakshmi has a close resemblance to that of Mahalakshmi at Kolhapur, the main centre of worship. Her special feature is that she wear a linga on her head, and considered a peaceful or satvika form of the Devi. The Goddess Mahalakshmi was worshipped by Shilahara rulers (750-1030 A.D.) and the early Kadamba Kings of Goa. Shri Mahalsa  At Mardol, one km. from Shri Manguesh temple. The deity worshipped is an attribute of Vishnu (Mohini during the fight between Devas and Asuras). Main Festivals: Zatra (February) and Navaratra.

Shri Mallikarjuna 40kms. from Margoa at Canacona, the southern most taluka of Goa, is believed to have been constructed during the Middle of the 16th century by ancestors of the Kshatriya Samaj. It was renovated in the year 1778. The temple has massive wooden pillars with intricate carvings. There are deities around the temple. Rathasaptami in February and Shigmotsav in April are the festivals of note, which draw large crowds.   Shri Manguesh 22kms. (6kms. from Margoa) at Priol - Ponda Taluka. It is a located on a hillock surrounded by rolling green hills. Though small it has an air of distinctive elegance. Its lofty white tower at the entrance is a landmark of the country side. This is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Shri Naguesh Dedicated to Lord Shiva, is situated in the village of Bandode about 4kms. to the east of Ponda. The temple Sabhamandap has a gallery on both the sides that contain exquisite specimen of the intricate wood carvings of the event of Ramayana on one side and wooden images of Astadikpal and Gandharva.   Shri Ramnath 33kms. in Ponda Taluka. Besides the shrine of the main Ramnath deity it has four small temples for Shri Laxminarayan, Shri Shantadurga (Sateri), Shri Betal and Shri Sidhanath. The five together, constitute Shri Ramnath Panchayatan. The legend in mythology says Rameshwar is the original code abode of Lord Ramnath.   Shri Saptakoteshwar  37kms. at Narve- Bicholim, was a favored deity if Kadamba Kings. Its original temple was situated in the island of Diwadi. It was destroyed by the Portuguese and Idol was shifted to its present side at Narve(Bicholim). Many years afterwards in 1668 A.D. Chatrapati Shivaji ordered renovation of this temple at the present site during one of his campaigns to oust the Portuguese. The linga worshipped in the temple is faceted and is known as 'Dharalinga'. Sapteshwar- Bhagavati Temple at Mandrem Situated 20kms. from Mapusa in pernem taluka, the complex has five temples, main temples being of Shri Sapteshwar and Bhagwati. Other temples, are Narayan, Ravalnath and Satpurush-Rampurush, Dusshera, Zatra, Bhajani Saptah are the main festivals. The temples were renovated four years ago. .Shri Shantadurga 33kms. Sumptuously built at Kavem, is dedicated to Santadurga, the Goddess who mediates between Vishnu and Shiva. Has rich and beautiful Gharbhakada or the holy of holies were the deity is kept. The deity was shifted from Keisi. Agrashalas provide lodging faculties to devotees. Shri Shantadurga 14kms. from Mapusa at Dhargal, pernem, Circa 1500 A.D. when all temples in Bardez were destroyed by the Portuguese inquisition in Goa Therefore, in Circa 1550A.D. this Goddess was removed at Sanquelim. It was the time of the notorious. Therefore in Circa 1550 A.D. this Goddess was taken to Dhargal in Pernem Taluka which also formed part of Sawantwadi principality. Shri Shantadurga (Kunkalikarin) 18kms, from Margoa, at Fatorpa (Quepem) Originally from Cuncolim Village in Salcete taluka, the Goddess was remove to Fatorpa in 16th century during religious persecution by the Portuguese. The annual Zatra, which falls in the months of Pausha Shudda Navami, attracts thousands of devotees from all over Goa. Shri Vithal Mandir  41kms, situated at Vitthalwadi, Sanquelim. Shri Vithal is the ancestral Goa of 'Ranes' who had put up prolonged memorable resistance to Portuguese rule. The main festival is Chaitra (April). Its celebrated is a lavish affair for the people of miles around. Shri Saunsthan Goudpadacharaya Kavale Math  This Math is a brilliant heritage of the Goud Saraswat Community with branches all over India. This Math situated at Kavalem, in Ponda Talkua, is named after the Srimad Gaudapadacharya the first amongst the eminent Acharyas; the first historic seer and exponent of the Adwaite system of Vedanta. The Math was shifted from Cortalim in the year 1630 during the inquisition period and re-establishment by Srimad Satchidanand Saraswati Swamiji. Shri Saunsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevotam Math Located at Partagali village on the banks of the scared rivulet Kushavati, this Math established by Shreemad Narayanateertha Swamiji in the year 1475 A.D. has an uninterrupted tradition of 23 Swamijis. This is an ancient Math of the Goud Saraswat Bhramin Vaishnav Community which maintained contact with scattered members of the community. The symbol representing the spiritual movement carried on by the Math for over 500 years is one of the few huge ancient 'Vatavriksha' (Banyan tree) which is about 200 meters to the north of the Math with 220 aerial roots and total area admeasuring 235feets * 225feets and is considered a Tapasya Kshetra for over a thousand years. Vatavriksha and the Ishwar linga in front of it are worshipped by the people of Partagali and adjoining area. This place is popularly known as Bramhasthan. Partagali is being developed into a centre of culture and learning without in any way tempering with its glorious traditions. The Temple of Maruti in Mapusa  Between the years of 1589 and 1812 there was no temple in Mapusa as they had all been destroyed. SAKHARAM KHADILAR known as 'Ramdasibuva' roamed the country side singing praises to Lord Rama and spreading his teachings. He lodged at a rest house in Mapusa and would conduct the chanting of Holy songs called 'Bhajans' with pooja to the all powerful Lord Maruti, to all powerful Lord Maruti, son of the god of Wind whose picture he would adore. He soon had followers from among the Jains who lived in the area. The picture of Lord Maruti was then kept at a shop of fireworks belonging to one Ladko Pokle while Ramdasibuva returned to his own home. The following year he cameback with a silver idol of Maruti which replaced the picture at Pokle's shop on the 11th of Apirl 1843. By now the place teeming with devotees. Pokle's shop's was acquire the temple built and idol placed. By coincidence it faced the south. The Goa no temple or house faces south as it is believed that evil sprits enter from this direction . The south facing Lord Maruti is supposed to fight evil forces and protect his devotees from bad lack that could last up to seven years. when prayed to, he answers prayers and is to of strict nature. The rituals are followed in same manner. The temple has an entrance facing the north. It was built in stages with the sponsorship of the rich and the business community of Mapusa. It has a richly carved silver doorway made by local artisan. The floor is marble and on the north side is carved teak wood Palanquin that is used to carry the deity in procession on the day of its feast .

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------