temple in goa
Temples in Goa, Goa TourismThe temples of Goa are in essence like most Hindu temples in India, based around a deity which is worshipped. The architecture of Goan temples is a little different mostly because of historical reasons.
The fundamental design of any Hindu temple is organized around the central shrine or the "Garbagriha" or the "sanctum sanctorum" that houses the main deity. A tower or "Shikara" arises from the main shrine and is traditionally pyramidal shaped. There are usually two or more smaller shrines housing other deities known as "Parivar Devatas" around the entrance to the Garbagriha.
» Shri Bhagavati temple: India is a nation of religious beliefs and devotion to higher authorities such as Gods and Goddesses with whom the universal power rests. And conforming to this religious belief many temples in India were built for the devotees. Today, there are an infinite number of temples in India to which Goa is not an exception. Like other parts of India, Temples in Goa are also consecrated to various deities. However, due to certain historical reasons there is a visible architectural difference in the construction of the temples of Goa and rest of the parts of India. Nevertheless primary designs of any Hindu temple have been kept intact in the Goan temples as well. A central shrine housing main deity, a tower or "Shikara" rising from main shrine boasting a traditional pyramid shape and two or more smaller shrines housing other deities can be seen in Goa temples also. Of the various popular and holy temples, Shri Bhagavati Temple is one which deserves special mention.
Shri Bhagavati Temple at Parshem is located at a distance of 7 km from Pemem in Pemem Taluka. The Shri Bhagvati temple complex houses five temples. The main temple being that of Devi Bhagavati, other temples in the complex include those of Shri Sateri, Shri Dev Ravalnath, Shri Dev Bhivangi Panchakshari and Brahma (Shri Vishnu, Shri Ganapath, and Shri Shankar).
The outstanding feature of the Shri Bhagavati temple is that it has two ‘Deepstambhas'. In the surrounding of the temple exquisite sculptures of ancillary deities can also be seen.
Besides, adding to the glory of the temple is the massive celebration of major festivals. These festivals include; the 7 days ‘Bhajanisaptah' at Mandrem celebrated in the Indian month of Kartika, annual Zatra, Dussehra and Shimgo. These festivals draw a large crowd of both the devotees and the tourists. 
» Shri Mahadeo Bhumika at Sal, Bicholim: Situated at a distance of 25 kms from Mapusa.Temple complex has beautiful natural surroundings. The three-day festival of 'Gades' which begins on Phalgun Pumima draws big crowd. The devotees believe that people can have the darshan of 'Devchars' during Gade festival.
» Morjaee Temple at Morjim: Situated at Morjim in Pemem taluka this ancient historical temple complex is situated amidst natural surroundings. The main festival is "Kalas Utsav" which is celebrated once in every three, five, seven, or nine years. The duration of the festival is nearly a month beginning from Phalgun Shuddha Panchami.The concluding seven days is a big religious and cultural affair when people not only from Goa but from Sindhudurg to Karwar assemble in large number. Other festivals are Gudi Padwa, Dussehra, annual Zatra, "divzam" and ghodemodni.
» Shri Bhagavati Temple at Parshem: Situated at a distance of 7 km. from Pemem in Pemem Taluka.The complex has five temples, main temple being of Shri Bhagavati, other temples are of Shri Sateri, Shri Dev Ravalnath, Shri Dev Bhivangi Panchakshari & Brahma (Shri Vishnu, Shri Ganapath, Shri Shankar).Devi Bhagavati temple has two Deepstambhas unique of its kind. Main festivals are Dassehra and annual Zatra.
» Brahma Temple: Very few temples are dedicated to Lord Brahma and one of these temples is the Brahma temple in Satari. This temple is supposed to have been built in the 5th century.
» Shri ChandranathTemple: This temple is situated at Paroda, on top of a 359m high hill in Quepem taluka. The deity is Lord Chandranath or Lord of the Moon; an incarnation of Lord Shiva. This was the deity of the Bhojas, a dynasty that ruled early Goa.The temple is so designed that the main deity, the Lingam receives moonlight on every full moon. It is also said that whenever moonlight shines on the Lingam, it oozes water. The present building dates back from the 17th century, but reportedly there has been a temple there for over 1500 yrs. From the base the temple is approached by a steep flight of steps. Another attraction is the ancient chariot with its exquisite wooden carvings.
» Shri Damodar Temple: This beautiful temple is situated at Zambaulim, about 22kms from Margao, on the banks of the Kushawati river. The deity was originally based in a temple at the exact spot where the Church of Holy Spirit stands in Margao today. It was moved in 1565 to escape the Portuguese Inquisition when the original temple was destroyed and The Church of Holy Spirit built on its site. It is revered by both Christians and Hindus alike. The Kushawati river is supposed to have great healing powers and many a devotee takes a bath here to cure themselves of bodily ills. The main festival celebrated is Shigmo, the Goan Hindu festival of color.
» Shri Datta Mandir:37 kms at Dattawadi, Sanquelim, and 40 kms. from Margao The century old temple of trimurthy (Hindu) has a back drop of a beautiful hillock covered with dense groves of areca palms.
The most important festival, which is attended by devotees from all over Goa, is Datta Jayanti which falls in the month of December. The deity is believed to have cured many people of unsound mind. The entire interior consist of white marble.
» Shri Devkikrishna-Ravalnath: Like many of Goa. s temples, the Devaki-Krishna Temple at Marchel was moved here from two previous locations, to be safe from oppression. The beautiful and unusual image in black stone is of the baby Krishna on his mother, Devaki. s hip. Could the Baby Jesus and his Mother, Mary, represented in so many of the neighbouring churches here have given this temple its inspiration, or is it simply an astonishing coincidence of the overlapping of Western and Eastern traditions?
» Shri Gomanteshwar Devasthan Brahmapur:Shri Gomanteshwar Temple at Brahmapuri, in old Goa, dates back to the Kadamba Kings who ruled Goa in the 5th century AD.
It is situated near Ela farm at Old Goa. Mahadev was worshipped during the days of Kadamba Kingdom in Goa. Madan Tirtha Goraksha Math etc. still remind the glory of the place.
» Shris Ganapati Temple: At Farmagudi, dominated by a statue of the Maharatha leader Shivaji, in the valley, carpeted with cashew trees and dense thickets of palms, is Shri Nagesh temple at Bandora, 4K.M northwest of Ponda.
Established at the beginning of fifteenth century and later renovated by Maharathas, Shri Nagesh is older than most of its neighbors, although stylistically very much in the same mould, with the usual domed shikhara, or terracotta-tiled roofs and gaudy goan Decor. In the entrance porch is a stately black Nandi bull, vehicle of the temple's chief deity, Shiva, here known as Naguesh. The multicolored wood carvings run in a continues frieze along the tops of the pillars. These depict scenes from the Hindu epic Ramayana, in which the God Rama (Vishnu's seventh incarnation) with the help of Hanuman's monkey army, rescues his wife Sita from the clutches of arch demon Ravana. After the great battle, the couple are reunited back home in Ayodhya, as shown in one of the last panels. The silver-doored sanctum (garbhagriha), flanked by subsidiary shrines dedicated to Lakshmi-Narayan and the elephant-headed Ganesh, houses a Shiva devta. The lingam carved with the face of Shiva the God known as Mukhaling. The temple tank, whose murky green waters are teeming with fish. The foundation of this Temple was laid in 1413.
» Shri Kalikadevi Temple:(14 kms. from Mapusa at Kansarpal)It is said to be about hundred years old. Divided into two outer halls, supported with seven rows of four pillars, has a stage to perform dramas on festive occasion.
The inner shrine contains the revered image of the Goddes 'Kali' a fierce form of Devi. Agrashalas (rest House) surrounding the temple provide facilities for lodging to the devotees.
» Shri Kamakshi Saunsthan Shiroda: This temple was originally located at Raia in Salcete and was moved to its present location in 1564-1568. The temple is located at Shiroda. It is dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, consort of Shiva. By the side of the main temple are shrines dedicated to Shree Shantadurga, Shree Laxmi Narayana and Shree Rayeshwar. There are Agrashalas surrounding the main temple that provide lodging and boarding for pilgrims. The main festivals celebrated here are Dusshera.
» Temple of Shri Mahadev at Tambdi Suria:: During the reign of Kadambas, in the 13th century, the Goan territory thrived in all directions due to benign administration of the enlightened rulers. Several temples were built for all the gods of Hindu Pantheon, like Nageswar, Vithal, Santadurga, Mahalaxmi (also spelt as Mahalakshmi), Ramnath, etc. Unfortunately, most of them were razed to ground by the aliens, who are aliens to culture and refinement. After more than 400 years of darkness, some of the surviving shrines opened their doors to carry on activities for public benefit.
On account of foreign impact, many temples seem to be putting on a veneer of western civilisation, but deep examination shows, that the core of Hindu culture remained untainted, immaculate and dynamic
Keeping Intact The Hindu Cultural Heritage
In the temples renovated or built afresh, as in the past, "Agamic Puja", with all rituals, is being conducted demonstrating that the much-adorned Hinduism has not lost its vitality, nor has bartered away its glory during the foreign rule. The Mahadev temple at Tambdi Surla where ancient traditions are followed serves as an example to this.
Situated in West Goa, the Mahadeva Temple in Tambdi Surla is the state's only prominent reminder of the pre-Portuguese temple architecture. Maintained by the ASI (Archeological Survey of India), this 12th century temple boasts of some fine relief's on the 'Shikhara' (spire) depicting a plethora of gods and goddesses.
It was built in the Yadava style of architecture with all the necessary parts, like Garbha Griha, Mukhamandapa, Mini-shrines, etc. and presents an extremely grand look. Do not miss the impressive carved wall near the entrance, and the chiselled monolith pillars.
General Information(Location:Tambdi Surla, 69-km From Panaji, Goa.)Deity:Lord Shiva.,
Origin:12th Century.
» Shri Mahalaxmi Temple: (Situated in the village Bandode, about 4 Kms 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 few galleries of wooden images of Vishnu in India. The image of Mahalaxmi has close resemblance of that of Mahalaxmi at Kolhapur, the main centre of worship. Her special feature is that she wears the linga on one hand and considered a peaceful or Satvik form of Devi. The Goddess Mahalaxmi was worshipped by the Shilahara rulers (750-1030 A.D.) and the early Kadamba Kings of Goa.
» Shri Mahalsa Temple: The temple of Mahalsa Narayani is located at the small village of Mardol, just about a km from the famous Mangueshi temple and about 22 kms from Panaji, the capital city.
Originally, the deity was housed in a temple at an ancient shrine in village of Verna which is now the site of an industrial estate. Along with other Goan temples, this beautiful temple at Verna was also marked for destruction by the Portuguese around 1543.
However, before the actual demolition could take place the idol of the deity was smuggled away across the river by faithful devotees, to the safer locale of Mardol, where it is located today.The Goddess Mahalsa is supposed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, hence the name Mahalsa Narayani (Narayan being another name for Vishnu). There are a number of legends associated with the deity and how she came into being.
The more famous legend has it that, in ancient times, a beautiful goddess appeared on the Sonsada plateau at Verna. She was first seen by a shepherd named Sahastrapal, who was taking his master's cattle for grazing to a nearby spring. The goddess asked the shepherd to bring his master to the location. When the shepherd appeared reluctant saying that the cattle were thirsty, the goodess created a spring by hitting the ground with her nupur (musical ornament worn on the ankle). The small Nupur Lake which was thus created, can still be seen today.
The shepherd went to get his master, but could only get his son-in-law name Mhal Pai who was asked by the goddess to build a temple in that location where she would reside as Mahalsa Narayani.
The temple is located in peaceful environs at Mardol. The temple has huge wooden pillars and a silver framed doorway. In the courtyard, there is a magnificent brass samai (ornamental lamp pillar) which is 40 feet in height and has 21 rings of a hundred fifty small lamps. When it is lit up with oil wicks on the annual festival day or Jatra, it is a sight to behold.
» Shri Mallikarjun Temple:40 kms. from MargaoAt Canacona, the southernmost Taluka of Goa, is believed to have been constructed during the middle of 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 60 deities around the temple, Rathasaptami in Febmary and' Shigmotsav in April are the festivals of note, which draw large crowd.
