Goa Temples

The temples in Goa like most Hindu temples around India are dedicated to a deity which is worshipped by the local devotees. The design of the Goa temples, however, is a different, as it has assimilated the influence of Muslim, Maratha and Christian architecture over the centuries.

A special feature of temples in Goa is the Lamp Tower or the Deepastambha rising anywhere from two to six stories high, in the temple courtyard. On festival days Goa Temples are decorated with oil lamps creating a spectacular effect. In most Temples in Goa, the inner sanctum housing the idol of the deity is decorated with silver and gold. Near the temple there is usually a huge water tank used for the holy rituals of the deity.

Each Goa Temple has its annual jatra (feast), when the idol of the local deity is carried in a huge wooden chariot around the temple, with crowd of devotees following in a procession. A small fair with stalls selling everything from jewellery to eatables is setup in the temple grounds in Goa.

Goa Temples are more modern as compared to ancient temples in an around India, mainly because they have rebuilt at new locations after the destruction during the days of Muslim and Portuguese invasions. Among the well-known temples in Goa are the ones dedicated to Shantadurga Temple, (Kavlem) Goa, Manguesh (Priol) Temple Goa, Mahalasa (Mardol), Chandreshwar Bhutnath Temple (Paroda) Goa, Damodar Temple(Zambaulim) Goa, Datta Temple (Sanquelim) Goa, Mallikarjun Temple,(Canacona) Goa, and Shantadurga Kunkolikarin Temple (Fatorpa) Goa.

	Shri Brahma Temple
	This beautiful temple is in Satari, 7 kilometers from Valpoi, It is one of the few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma found in India.

	Shri Naguesh Temple
	The Naguesh temple with old scriptures on stone at Nagueshim, the Mahalakshmi at Nagueshim Bandora, the Ramnath temples at Ramnathi and Shantadurgta temple at Kavalem.

	Shri Manguesh Temple
	Located at Mangueshi in Ponda Taluka, the most prominent among temples, is situated along the National Highway-4A about 23-km from Panaji.

	Shri Shantadurga Temple, Kavlem
	Built in 1738 by king Shahu of Satara, this temple is the largest and most famous in Goa. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva.

	Shri Gopal Ganapathi, Farmagudi
	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 commemorates this event.

	Shri Mhalasa Narayani Temple, Mardol
	This temple is situated at Mardol about 1 km from Shree Mangueshi Temple. The temple deity is "Mhalasa Narayani" an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, portrayed in a female form.

	Shri Mahadev Temple
	This temple is quite popular all over the Goa. Located in Sindhudurg district, the temple is known for its annual festival of "Gade", which is a three-day religious affair from Phalgun Vadya 1 to 3.

	Shri Navdurga Temple
	9-km to the east of Ponda in the village Marcaim amidst sylvan background is situated the temple of Navdurga. The temple is said to be about 500 years old and was renovated in 1603 AD.

	Shri Morjee Temple
	Situated at Morjim, this is another temple which is located at Pernem Taluka, 15 kms from Mapusa. The temple complex is situated around sylvan surroundings.

	Shri Mahalaxmi Temple
	This temple is situated about 4kms east of Ponda. Mahalaxmi is the Goddess of power and strength. She is believed to be an incarnation of Adishakti and worshipped by the Saraswats who belonged to the Shakti cult.

	Shri Kamakshi Temple
	Kamakshi Temple is just 12 kms away from Kavelem and is one of the best Hindu monument in Goa dedicated to goddess Kamakshi.

	Shri Vithal Temple
	Reconstructed in 1942 A.D., the temple incorporated North Indian style of architecture. Though sanctum-sanctorium was left untouched and the main festivity at the temple was held during nine days preceding Chairtra Purnima ".

	Shri Ramnathi Temple
	The Sri Ramnath Samsthan was originally located at Lotulim in Salcette taluka and was shifted to its present location in Bandivadem in the16th century. Other deities worshipped in the temple are Sri Laxmi Narayan, Sri Shanteri, Sri Kamakshi, Sri Siddhinath, Betal and Kalabhairava.

	Shri Maruti Temple
	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.

	Shri Vijaydurga Temple
	Sri Vijayadurga Samsthan was originally situated at Sankhavali along with Sri Shanthadurga and Sri Laxmi Narshima. Annual jatra is held in the month of Magha up to Shivaratri and also on Navaratri.

	Shri Bhagwati Temple
	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.

	Shri Rudreshwar Temple
	Located in Bicholim Taluka at a distance of 45 kms from Panaji. Harvalem where the ancient linga of Rudreshwar is venerated. The idyllic Harvalem water fall is close by.

	Shri Chandranath Temple
	It is situated on the top of 350 metres high hill of Chandranath,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 alter the deity.

	Shri Damodar Temple
	Situated in picturesque surroundings on the banks of river Kushavati, popularly known as Panti. Near the temple, the river is regarded particulary holy and is said to have medicinal properties.

	Shri Datta Mandir
	37 kms at Dattawadi, Sanquelim, and 40 kms. from Margao this century old temple of trimurthy (Hindu) has a back drop of a beautiful hillock covered with dense groves of areca palms.

	Shri Devaki Krishna Ravalnath Temple
	17 km at Marcela, Ponda, this temple Popularly known as Pisso Ravalnath. The most important festival is "Maini Paumima" in the month of Pausa (January).

	Shri 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.

	Shri Kalika Devi Temple
	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 temple is located 14 kms. from Mapusa at Kansarpal

	Shri Mallikarjun Temple
	At Canacona, the southernmost Taluka of Goa, Shri Mallikarjun Temple is believed to have been constructed during the middle of 16th century by ancestors of the Kshatriya Samaj.

	Shri Saptakoteshwar Temple
	Was a favoured deity of Kadamba Kings. Its orginal 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 (Bichoh'm).

	Shri Devi Sharvani
	Vithal Maharudra Panchayatan the complex comprise 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.

	Shri Saunsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math
	Born under the divine inspiration of his Holiness Haturli Mathadhish Shrinad Brahmanand Swamiji, the Tapobhoomi Complex at Kundai has no/v become a cnitre_ of pilgrimage to the students of Hindu culture and religion, spread over an are of 10,000 sq. mts.

	Shri Saunsthan Gondpaddchaiya Kavie Math
	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 am annual zatra day in November/December when procession of Goddess is taken out ii decorated chariot.

	Shri Ananta Temple
	Shri Ananta Temple at Sovei Veram is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the second god of the Hindu Trinity, whose role is that of preservation, just as Brahma's is of creation and Shiva's is of dissolution. This is the only Ananta Temple in Goa and therefore of special interest. Surrounded on all s

	Shri Bodgeshwar Temple, Mapusa
	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.

	Shri Maha Ganapti Mahamaya Temple
	This is one of the Kuladevata Temples with Bhats, Puraniks, Mallyas, Kudvas and Nayaks. The deities were in Goa in the area called Golti and Naveli. On account of the hostile religious policies pursued by the Portuguese rulers around 1560 A.D., these devotees left Goa. Being unable to take with them

	Shri Laxminarsimha Temple, Veling, Ponda
	This temple was originally situated in Sankhavali (Sanchole in Salcette) and was shifted with other deities Sri Vijayadurga and Sri Shantadurga to present Sylvan surroundings. The temple is still in its old glory with wooden bars reliefs and carvings.