Temples of Goa

Category : - All India Travel Tourism > Goa > Religious Places > Temples

Goan temples are unique and stand apart from other Indian temples in their distinct architecture, location, spaciousness, and environment. Almost each and every village has one temple to serve the religious and spiritual aspirations of the Hindu devotees. Both old temples with a rich heritage of centuries and new ones attract hundreds of devotees from all over Goa and other parts of India. The Archaeological Survey of India is actively engaged in excavation, renovation and also relocation where necessary of ancient heritage temples. We present the most famous temples of Goa for your knowledge of the magnificent diversity of Hindu religion in Goa.

SHRI ANANT DEVASTHAN -- SAVOI-VEREM
This unique temple is situated at Savoi-Verem village in Ponda taluka. The deity carved in black stone is Lord Vishnu (the God of Preservation) who is in his Anantashayya (a sleeping position where the Lord rests on the multi-headed snake king Seshnaga, whose heads shelter the head of the Lord like an umbrella). Established in 1923 A.D., this temple is the only one containing this posture of the Lord in Goa. The sprawling temple complex consisting of temples of Shantadurga, Kamini, Narayan and Grampurush, and pillars with intricate wooden carvings and plated with silver are worth seeing.

SHRI BHAGAWATI TEMPLE - PARSHEM
Situated at a distance of 7 kms. from Pernem in Pernem Taluka, the complex has five temples, the main temple being of Shri Bhagvati, other temples are of Shri Sateri, Shri Dev Ravalnath, Shri Dev Bhivangi Panchakshari and Brahma (Shri Vishnu, Shri Ganapathi, Shri Shankar). Devi Bhagvati temple has two Deepstambhas unique of its kind. Main festivals are Dussehra and annual Zatra.

SHRI BODGESHWAR TEMPLE - MAPUSA
Surrounded by greenery, it is a small shrine dedicated to Kanakeshwar Baba or Bodgeshwar, locally known as Bongini. The god is regarded as agngavani i.e. to whom vows are made and who fulfills desires of the devotees. On the fulfillment of desires, people offer presents to the God as promised by them earlier. A very big fair is held in the month of December/January when thousands of devotees flock to this temple.

SHRI BRAHMA TEMPLE - VALPOI
7 kms. From Valpoi, in the village of Brahma Carambolim, this shrine belongs to the 5th century A. D. It is one of the few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma found in India.

SHRI CHANDRANATH TEMPLE - PARODA
45 kms from Panaji, it is situated on the top of 350 metres high hill of Chandranath at Paroda, Quepem. Chandreshwar was the titular deity of the Bhoja kings who ruled South Goa till the middle of 8th century. They had named their capital Chandrapur after the deity. Shivalinga is carved out from the rock, which oozes whenever rays of full moon fall on it. The temple is so designed that the Linga receives moonlight on every full moon. The temple commands a panoramic view and its surroundings are enchanting. The temple's ancient chariot is well known for its wood carvings.

SHRI DAMODAR TEMPLE - ZAMBAULIM
22 kms. From Margao at Zambaulim, this temple is situated in picturesque surroundings on the banks of the river Kushavati, popularly known as Panti. Near the temple, the river is regarded particularly holy and is said to have medicinal properties. Hindus and Christians alike worship the deity. A week long celebration of Shigmo is packed with programmes, which include a colourful fair, exchange of gulal, collective meals and presentation of shows on popular legends and folk culture. The deity was originally in Margao.

SHRI DATTA MANDIR - DATTAWADI
Situated at a distance of 37 kms from Panaji at Dattawadi, Sanquelim, and 40 kms. From Margao, this century old temple of trimurty (Hindu) has a backdrop 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 that falls in the month of December. The deity is believed to have cured many people of unsound mind. The entire interior consists of white marble.

SHRI DEVKI KRISHNA-RAVALNATH TEMPLE - MARCELA
17 km from Panaji at Marcela, Ponda, this temple is popularly known as Pisso Ravalnath. During the days of religious persecution the deity was shifted from Chorao, Tiswadi to Mayem in Bicholim and from there to the present place. The Black-stone idol of Devki (mother of Lord Krishna) in standing posture and a child Krishna is unique in Goa. The most important festival is "Malni Paurnima" in the month of Pausa (January).

SHRI GANAPATI TEMPLE - KHANDOLA, MARCELA, PONDA
A remarkable example of Kadamba-Chalukya architecture, this massive ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Ganapati or the Elephant-headed God of the Hindus, who is also worshipped as the God of Prosperity. The black-stone idol of Lord Ganapati was brought from Jaipur and the consecration of the deity took place in 1968 at the auspicious hands of Shrimat Satchidananda Saraswati Swamiji of Shri Kaivalaya (Queula) Math. The deity is placed on a pedestal under an intricately carved wooden canopy. The spacious sabhamandap was inaugurated by Shrimat Vidyadhiraj Teertha Swamiji of Gokarn Partgali Jeevottam Math. The main festival of Ganesh-Navarathra is celebrated on Magha Shuddha Chaturthi.

SHRI GOMANTESHWAR DEVASTHAN - BRAHMAPUR
It is situated at Brahmapuri near Ela farm at Old Goa and is connected to the village by a kuchcha road. Mahadev was worshipped during the days of Kadamba kingdom in Goa. This temple of Shiva under the name of Gomanteshwar or Goveshwar is believed to be built by Madhava Mantri, the minister of the Vijaynagar Empire, and the temple tank is named after him as Madhava Tirtha. The Portuguese destroyed the temple and built the Church of Santissimo Trinidade (the most Holy Trinity) in the 16th century. The shrine, renewed after the Inquisition was suspended in 1775, was destroyed again by the Portuguese on June 6, 1779 by the Viceroy Dom Frederico Guilherme de Souza. Originally built in the 14th century, the temple was once again re-built in 1947 AD. The present temple is a simple structure with tiled roof. Mahashivratri is celebrated with much religious fervour.

SHRI MAHADEO BHUMIKA TEMPLE - SAL
Situated at a distance of 25 kms. from Mapusa and just 5 kms from Kansarpal at Sal in Bicholim, this temple complex has beautiful natural surroundings. The three-day festival of 'Gades' which begins on Phalgun Purnima draws big crowd. The devotees believe that people can have the darshan of 'Devchars' (Gods) during Gade festival.

SHRI MAHADEVA TEMPLE - TAMBDI SURLA
Built by Hemadri, the minister of the Yadava king Ramachandra (c.1271), 66 kms from Panaji at the small town of Tambdi Surla village in Sanguem Taluka at the foot of the Ghats and within the confines of Molem wildlife sanctuary, it is the only specimen of Kadamba -Yadava architecture (12th-13th century) in basalt stone preserved and available in Goa. It boasts of bas-reliefs of superb craftsmanship. A motorable road connects Sancordem to this temple complex.

SHRI MAHALAXMI TEMPLE - BANDODE
Situated in the village of 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 Mahalakshmi has a close resemblance to that of Mahalakshmi at Kolhapur, the main centre of worship. Her special feature is that she wears a Linga on her head and is considered a peaceful or Satvik form of the Devi. The Shilahara rulers (750-1030 A. D.) and the early Kadamba Kings of Goa worshipped the Goddess Mahalakshmi.

SHRI MAHALAXMI TEMPLE - PANAJI
This attractive, big temple at the Altinho foothill of Panaji was built on contributions made by devotees in 1817. The deity is Goddess Mahalakshmi (the Hindu Goddess of Wealth), made of black stone, with four hands and is placed in a silver canopy. This is the peaceful or Satvik form of Devi. According to the Shakti cult (worship of power), Mahalakshmi is the original Goddess who takes forms according to three aspects or gunas viz. Brahma (peaceful, calm form or satva), Vishnu (creative action or rajas) and Shiva (destruction or tamas). The deity originally from Mayem in Bicholim taluka was transferred to the present site.

SHRI MAHALSA TEMPLE - MARDOL
At Mardol, 1 km from Shri Manguesh temple and 23 kms from Panaji, the temple deity worshipped is an attribute of Vishnu (Mohini during the fight between Devas and Asuras). It possesses carvings which relate to the Shakti cult and a rare series of carvings of Vishnu, as well as a recent enormous brass Garuda pillar on the back of a turtle. Main festivals include Zatra (February) and Navaratra.

SHRI MANGUESH TEMPLE - PRIOL
22 kms. From Panaji (26 kms. From Margao) at Priol in Ponda Taluka, it is located on a hillock surrounded by lush green hills. Though small it has an air of distinctive elegance. Its lofty white tower at the entrance is a landmark of the countryside. This is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. SHRI MORJAEE TEMPLE - MORJIM This ancient historical temple complex is situated at Morjim village in Pernem taluka 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 also from Sindhudurg to Karwar assemble in large number. Other festivals are Gudi Padwa, Dussehra, annual Zatra, "divzam" and ghodemodni.

SHRI NAGUESH TEMPLE - BANDODE
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is situated in the village of Bandode, about 4 kms. to the east of Ponda. The temple Sabhamandap has a gallery on both sides that contains exquisite specimen of intricate wood carvings of the events of Ramayana on one side and wooden images of Astadikpal and Gandharva on the other.

SHRI NAVDURGA TEMPLE - MADKAI
Situated at Madkai, 28 kms. From Panaji, this 500-year old temple is dedicated to the Goddess Navadurga. It was renovated in 1603 AD. It was shifted to its present place from Tali-khol locality in Parampai-Vaddo of the village of Marcaim (Madkai) where itself it was originally brought from Ganvshi village in the Tiswadi taluka. The deity, almost four feet in height and made of stone, is in the form of Mahishashura Mardini (the killer of demon bullock). She is a fierce form of Devi and is highly venerated in Goa. The annual zatra or procession is held in November when thousands of devotees from far-flung areas throng the temple.

SHRI RAMNATH TEMPLE - RAMNATHI
33 kms from Panaji in Ponda Taluka, besides the shrine of the main Ramnath deity it has four small temples of Shri Laxminarayan, Shri Shantadurga (Sateri), Shri Betal and Shri Sidhanath. The five together, constitute Shri Ramnath Panchayatan. The legend in mythology says that Rameshwar is the original abode of Lord Ramnath.

SHRI SAPTAKOTESHWARA TEMPLE - NARVE
37 kms. From Panaji at Narve in Bicholim Taluka, this was a favoured deity of Kadamba Kings. Its original temple was situated in the island of Diwar. When the Portuguese destroyed it, the idol was shifted to its present site at Narve (Bicholim). Many years afterwards in 1668 A. D. Chhatrapati Shivaji ordered renovation of this temple at the present site during one of his campaigns to oust the Portuguese. The Linga worshipped in this temple is faceted and is known as 'Dharalinga'.

SHRI SHANTADURGA TEMPLE - QUEULA (KAVALEM)
Sumptuously built in 1738 at Queula (Kavalem), 33 kms. From Panaji and just 2 kms. west of Ponda town, it is an important monument dedicated to Shantadurga, the Goddess who mediates between Vishnu and Shiva. It has a rich and beautiful Garbhakunda or the holy of holies where the deity is kept. The deity was shifted from Kelsi. Agrashalas provide lodging facilities to the devotees. Like many other Goan temples, it is also strongly influenced by European architectural design.

SHRI SHANTADURGA TEMPLE - DHARGAL
It is situated 14 kms from Mapusa at Dhargal, Pernem. When the Portuguese destroyed all the temples in Bardez, this Goddess was removed at Sanquelim. It was at the time of the notorious Portuguese inquisition in Goa. Therefore, in 1550 A. D. this Goddess was taken to Dhargal in Pernem taluka, which also formed part of Sawantwadi principality. The 'Zatra' of this Goddess is held in the month of December. The temple has beautiful natural surroundings.

TAPOBHOOMI - KUNDAI
Born under the divine inspiration of his Holiness Haturli Mathadhish Shrimad Brahmanand Swamiji, the Tapobhoomi Complex at Kundai, spread over an area of 10,000 sq. mts, has now become a centre of pilgrimage to the students of Hindu culture and religion. This centre of Param Pujya Padmanabh Shishya Sampradaya harbours a number of projects, a unique Datta Mandir, Sanskrit Pathshala (school), Dhyaan Gumfa (Chamber for meditation), Ayurveda Centre, Yoga Anusandhan Kendra, Bhajani Vidyalaya, Bhaktoddhar Library, etc.

His Holiness Brahmanand Swamiji, who is the Head of Haturli Muth has rendered yeomen service to uplift poor, downtrodden people in the last two decades. While propagating the Bhakti movement in this holy land, he has salvaged poor and middle class from falling into the clutches of vices such as drinking, gambling, drug-abuse etc. It is solely because of Swamiji's guidance that thousands of young people have been able to walk in the right direction.

Tapobhoomi has been set up to educate mankind about its duties and responsibilities and to spread the message of divine love and compassion. Tapobhoomi is indeed a temple of humanity, standing firm on the foundation of devotion i.e. Bhakti.