Temples of North Goa
Shree
Bhagavati : 28 kms. from Panaji in Pernem Taluka. 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 black stone on either side
at the entrance, welcome the visitors. The Goddess Bhagavati Asthbhuja in a
standing position on a high pedestal is very imposing. Dussehra is celebrated
with gaiety from Ashwin Shuddha Pratipada to Poornima, when over 25 thusand
devotees assemble at the temple.
Shree Bhagavati Temple at Parshem : Situated at a distance of 7 kms from
Pernem in Pernem Taluka, the complex has five temples, main temples being of
Shri Bhagavati, and other temples are of Shri Sateri, Shri Dev Ravalnath, Shri
Dev Bhivangi Panchakshari & Brahma (Shri Vishnu, Shri Ganapati, Shri Shankar).
Devi Bhagavati temple has two Deepstambhas unique of its kind. Main festivals
are Dassehra and annual Zatra.
Shri Brahma Temple : 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.
Shree Chandranath : 45 kms. It is situated on the top of 350 metres
high hill of Chandranath, at Paroda, Quepem. Chandreshwar was the titular deity
of Bhoja kings who ruled South Goa before the Christian 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 tht 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.
Shree
Mahalsa : At Mardol. 1 km from Shri Mangueshi temple. The deity worshipped
is an attribute of Vishnu (Mohini during the fight between Devas and Asuras).
Main festivals: Zatra (February) and Navaratra.
Shree Damodar : 22 kms. from Margao at Zambaulim-Sanguem, situated
in picturesque surroundings on the banks of river Kushavati, popularly 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 week long celebration of Shigmo is packed with programmes which includes
a colourful fair, exchange of gulal, collective meals and presentation of shows
on popular legends and folk culture. The deity was originally in Margao.
Shree 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 interiro consist of white marble.
Shree Devi Sharvani : Vithal Maharudra Panchayatan the complex comprises
of temples of Jagrut Swayambhu Goddess Sharvani, Mahadev and vetal with his
life-size image of stone and other deities. It is situated in scenic surroundings
at Advolpal in North Goa, 2.5 kms. from Assonora on Pirna main road. Goddess
is known for fulfilling the vows of her devotees through Kaul Prasad who also
perform Tulbhar to propitiate her. Thousands of devotees throng on vardhapan
day. Divja Zatra day and annual Zatra day in November/December when procession
of Goddess is taken out in decorated chariot.
Shree
Manguesh : 22 kms from Panaji (26 kms from Margao) at Priol-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 country-side. This is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Shree Devkikrishna-Ravalnath : 17 km. at Marcela, Ponda, is popularly
known as Pisso Ravalnath. The most important festival is “Malni Pournima”
in the month of Pausa (January).
Shree Gomanteshwar Devasthan Brahmapur : 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.
Shree Gomantak Tirupati Balaji Padmavati Temple : Blessed by Jagadguru Shree
Sanucharya Swamigal of Shree Kanchi in kamakoti Peetam and Tirumala Tirupati
Devasthanam is located in the temple Circuit of Ponda Taluka, 1 km away from
Kundaim on NH 4A at Kunkuliem village in salubrious environment and a visit
is spiriturally refreshing.
Shree
Shantadurga : 33 kms. Sumptously built at Kavlem, is dedicated to Shantadurga,
the Goddess who mediates between Vishnu and Shiva. Has a rich and beautiful
Garbhakuda or the holy of holies where the deity is kept. The deity was shifted
from kelsi. Agrashalas provide lodging facilities to the devotees.
Shree Gopal Ganapati : 26 kms. from Panaji 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 the sudden
appearance of the Maratha King Sambhaji with a large army. Farmagudi commemoratres
this event. The stone image of Gopal Ganapati was discovered by herdsmen while
grazing cattle near the hill and later installed in a small shrine with a thatched
roof. The temple built by late Shri Dayanand Bandodkar, the first Chief Minister
of Goa had the idol, made of metal alloy, consecrated on April 24, 1966. It
is a good specimen of Indian temple architecture synthesizing both ancient and
modern.
Shree Kalikadevi : 14 kms. from Mapusa at Kansarpal. It is said to be about
hundred years old. Divided into outer halls, supported with seven rows of four
pillars, has a stage to perform dramas on festive occasion. The inner shrine
containsthe reserved image of Goddess `Kali’ a fierce form of Devi. Agrashalas
(Rest House) surrounding the temple provide facilities for lodging to the devotees.
Shree Kamakshi Saunsthan Shiroda: 40 kms. from Panaji. According to mythology,
Shri Kamakshi, was brought from Kaurang (Kanchi).
Shree Lairai Temple : The temple of Shree Lairai is situated at Sirigao
about 2 kms. from Panaji-Valpoi Highway. Recently, an old temple has been reconstructed
at a cost about Rs.80.00 lakhs. The temple is unique in North Goa, the combination
of northern and suuthern art and design of temples have been applied in constructing
the temple. It is one of the attraction to the tourists visiting holy places,
temples in Goa. Shree Lairai Saunsthan of Sirigao, Goa is one of the oldest
and most famous Devasthans in Goa. The deity Lairai is famous all over Goa,
Maharashtra and Karnataka, for her unique “HOMAKUND”. Every year thousands
of devotees attend annual feast of deity to witness the walking of “DHOND”
through sacred fire called “HOMAKUND”.
Temple of Shree Mahadev at Tambdi Surla : 66 Kms. from Panaji in Sanguem
Taluka at the foot of the Ghats, is the only specimen of Kadamba-Yadava architrcure
(13th century) in basalt stone preservced and available in Goa. A motorable
road connects Sancordem to this temple complex.
Shree 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 Purnima draws big crowds.
The devotees believe that people can have the darshan of ‘Devchars’
during the Gade festival.
Shree 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 Purnima draws big crowds.
The devotees believe that people can have the darshan of ‘Devchars’
during the Gade festival.
Shree Maha Ganapati temple: is located at Madel in Tivim Village Panchayat
area of Bardez in North Goa. The temple has on the northern side the backdrop
of a high peaked hill. To the south there is a small rivulet whose waters used
by the people for bathing are believed to be medicinal. To the West the land
slopes away and a meandering patheway used by the villagers can be seen. To
the East are the quaint housed of the villagers set amidst beautiful trees.
During the month of August (Shravan) the temple is being illuminated and beautifully
decorated and also Singing Competition is being organised. In the year 1970,
during the time of desilting the pond at Madel , which is attached to the temple
4 statues were found of God namely: (1) Ganapati (2) Mardani and some others.
Shree Mahalaxmi : 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 Goddess Mahalakshmi was worshipped by the Shilahara rulers (750 – 1030
A.D.) and the early Kadamba Kings of Goa.
Shree Mallikarjun : 40 kms from Margao at 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 February and Shigmotsav in March/April are
the festivals of note, which draw large crowds.
Shree Morjee Temple of Morjim : Situated at Morjim in Pernem 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 Pachami. 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.
Shree Naguesh : Dedicated to Lord Shiva is situated in the village of Bandora,
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 event
of Ramayana on one side and wooden images of Astadikpal and Gandharva on the
other.
Shree Navdurga Saunsthan : 34 kms from Panaji at Borim (12 kms from Margao)
the deity of Goddess Navdurga was originally brought by Brahmins of Karad to
Goa. The deity was later transferred from Benaulim in Salcete to its present
site at Borim.
Shree Navdurga at Madkai : 28 kms from Panaji. The annual zatra is in November.
Shree Ramnath : 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.
Shree Rudreshwar Temple at Harvalem : Located in Bicholim Taluka at a distance
of 45 kms from Panaji the temple of Rudreshwar is half a km away from the rock-cut
caves of Harvalem where the ancient linga of Rudreshwar is venerated. The idyllic
Harvalem waterfalls is close by. The image of Rudreshwar is facing the waterfall.
The festival of Mahashivaratri draws big crowds. However, the temple assumes
importance as Hindus perform rites for the dead here.
Shree Saptakoteshwar : 37 kms for Panaji at Narve-Bicholim, was a favoured
deity of Kadamba kings. Its original temple was situated in the island of Diwar.
It was destroyed by the Portuguese and 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’.
Sapteshwar-Bhagvati Temple at Mandrem : Situated 17 kms from Mapusa in Pernem
Taluka, the complex has five temples, main temples being of Shri Sapteshwar
and Bhagavati. Other temples are Narayan, Ravalnath and Satpurush. Dassehra,
Zatra, Bhajani Saptah are the main festivals. The temples were renovated some
years ago.
Shree Saunsthan Gokern Partagali Jeevotam Math : Located at Partagali Village
on the banks of the sacred 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 accident Math of the Gaud Saraswat Brahmin Vaishnav
Community which maintained contact with the scattered members of the community.
The symbol representing the spiritual movement carried by the Math for over
500 years is one of the few huge ancient ‘vatavriksha’ (Banyan tree)
which is about 200 ft. x 225 ft. 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 tampering with its glorious traditions.
Shree Sausthan Goudpadacharya Kavle Math : This Math is a brilliant heritage
of Goud Saraswat Smarth Community with branches all over India. This Math situated
at Kavalem, in Ponda Taluka is named after historic seer and exponent of the
Adwaita system of Vedanta. The Math was shifted from Cortalim in the year 1630
during the inquisition period and re-established by Shrimad Satchidanand Saraswati
Swamiji.
Shree Shantadurga : 14 kms from Mapusa at Dhargal, Pernem. When all the
temples in Bardez were destroyed by the Portuguese, this Goddess was removed
at Sanquelim. It was at the time of the notoriouus 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.
Shree Shantadurga (Kunkolienkarin) : 18 kms from Margao, at Fatorpa (Quepem).
Originally from Cuncolim village in Salcete Taluka, the Goddess was removed
to Fatorpa in 16th century during religious persecution by the Portuguese. The
annual Zatra, which falls in the month of Pausha Shuddha Navami, attracts thousands
of devotees from all over Goa.
Tapobhoomi : Born under the divine inspiration of his Holiness Haturli Mathadhish
Shrimad Brahmanand Swamiji, the Tapobhoomi Complex at Kundai has now become
a centre of pilgrimage to the students of Hindu culture and religion, spread
over an area of 10,000 sq. mts. This centre of Param Pujya Padmanabh Shishya
Sampradaya harbours a number of projects, a unique Datta Mandir, Sanskrit pathshala,
Dhyaan Gumfa (Chamber of Mediation), Ayurveda Centre, Yoga Anusandhan Kendra,
Bhajani Vidyalaya, Bhaktoddhar Library, etc.
Shree Vithal Mandir : 41 kms from Panaji situated at Vithalwadi, Sanquelim,
Shri Vitthal is the ancestral God of ‘Ranes’ who had put up prolonged
memorable resistance to Portuguese rule. The main festival is Chaitri (April).
Its celebration is a lavish affair for the people miles around.
