Temples in Goa

Most people have the misconception that Goa is largely Christian. Goa has a Hindu population comprising 65 percent, and its diversity shows up across various parts of the region, particularly the temple heartland of Ponda.Goa is home to some of the most famous temples of Hindus. Each of the temples in Goa is based around a deity which is the centre of worship. However, the architecture of the temples in Goa is a little different because of historical reasons. The basic design of all Hindu temples is organized around the central shrine or the ‘Garbagriha’ (the ‘sanctum sanctorum’) that houses the main deity. A ‘Shikara’ (tower) arises from the main shrine and is traditionally pyramidal shaped. There are usually two or more smaller shrines enshrining other deities known as ‘Parivar Devatas’ around the entrance to the Garbagriha.
Amid the dense woodland and areca groves are brightly painted Hindu temples. Though quite far from the coastal resorts, these temples are worth a visit Following are some of the prominent temples of Goa:

• Mahalakshmi Temple
• Sri Mahadev-Bhumika
• Sri Mahalsa Temple
• Ramnath Temple
• Sri Shantadurga
• Shri Naguesh
• Shri Bhagvati Temple,Pernem
• Shri Chandranath
• Sri Kalika Temple
  

Mahalakshmi Temple
It is Located at the heart of the Panaji city. The Mahalaxmi temple enshrines the deity of Mahalaxmi, the Goddess of wealth. The special feature of this temple is that there are 18 wooden images of Lord Vishnu. But the temple is dedicated to Shakti or various forms of Durga. The presiding deity is Mahalakshmi who strangely wears a Lingam on her head. The main festivals at this temple are Navaratri and Chaitra Purnima. The Mahalakshmi temple assumes significance for being the first Hindu temple to be built in Goa after the Portuguese invasion by Alfonse de Albuquerque.

Sri Mahadeva Bhumika-It is the only surviving example of the Kadamba-Yadava architecture.built in the 13th century in basalt rock, is another temple complex with beautiful natural surroundings. is another temple complex with beautiful natural surroundings.
The intricate carvings on its pillars and walls are striking. The temple has a tower with the image of the Hindu trinity - Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma - carved on it.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple's entrance faces east so that the sunrays at dawn fall directly on the deity. At the centre of the temple is the state of Nandi, Lord Shiva's mount. The Surla River flows near the temple and many devotees take a dip in it before entering the temple premises. The entrance has ten pillars and the ceiling is decorated with floral motifs.
The temple is famous all over Goa and Sindhudurg district for its annual festival of "Gade", which is a three-day religious affair from Phalgun Vadya 1 to 3. Devotees believe that people can have Darshan of 'Devchar' at night during the festival and hence the Gade attracts huge crowds even from urban areas of Goa.

Sri Mahalsa Temple
This temple, located in Mardol village, the deity worshipped is an attribute of Vishnu (Mohini during the fight between Devas and Asuras). Main Festivals: Zatra (February) and Navaratra. The temple site is pleasant and peaceful A huge 'Dipa Stambha' made of five metals greets the visitors at the entrance of the temple, which was built in the 17th century. It has exquisite wooden carvings of ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Huge round pillars held the 'Sabhamandapa' at the entrance, which is being reconstructed to recapture the glorious past of the original temple situated at Verna in "Salcete Taluka" What makes this temple exceptional is its 21-tiered deepmal (lamp tower) which is perched atop Kurma, the tortoise incarnation of Vishnu. The 12.5 metre-high brass oil lamp is believed to be the world's largest. It is lit during all major festivals and is beautiful.

Ramnath Temple
Located 22 km from the state capital Panaji, the origin of the temple of Lord Ramnath is steeped in mythology. The temple is dedicated to Ramnath, an incarnation of Lord Shiva and is equally revered by both Shaivites and Vaishnavites. Natives believe that after slaying King Ravana of Lanka, a remorse-filled Lord Rama installed a shivalinga on the shores in order to atone for his act. Since then the temple came to be known as Rameshwar or Ramnath.
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 temple was built around 1566 AD and was renovated in 1905. The "Sabhamantapa", however, is a recent addition.

Sri Shantadurga
Shantadurga Temple was built in 1738 during the reign of Shahu Maharaja of Satara. Located in Kavlem, the temple is known as Santeri Temple among Goans. Sri Shantadurga is worshipped all over Goa and there are many temples dedicated to the deity. Legend has it that Shantadurga is the combination of two forms of Parvati - Shanta and Durga - the violent form is Durga and the peaceful form is Shanta.It 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.
The temple is remarkably well decorated. The roof is made of stone slabs and there is a five-storey lamp inside the complex. The main shrine contains an image of goddess Shantadurga flanked by Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The temple also has a huge tank, a Dipa Stambha and Agrashalas.Shantadurga is worshipped by Hindus and Christians alike, as the devotees believe that she asks in their dreams anything she likes and they offer the things demanded by Goddess with great veneration. Hence, the temple has much religious sanctity. The principal festival is "Jatrotsava", which attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over Goa.

Shri Naguesh
It is situated in the village of Bandode about 4kms. to the east of Ponda. One of the ancient Hindu temples in Goa, the Naguesh temple is dedicated to Lord Naguesh, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. It was built in 1413, the temple was renovated by King Shahu, grandson of Shivaji. The temple is one of the few that still retains its original site. It closely resembles the Shantadurga Temple.

The galleries of the Sabhamantapa contain exquisite specimen of intricate woodcarvings of famous episodes from Ramayana on one side and wooden images of "Astadikpal" and "Gandharva".There is a five-storey lamp tower decorated with nagas (snakes). The lower half of the tower has brightly painted deities. The temple also houses a century-old water tank, surrounded by palms and weathered stones. In the inner shrines is a lingam, a symbol of Lord Shiva, and in front of the shrine is an image of Nandi, the bull, carved in black stone. The temple's most important festival is Anguish Starap, celebrated in November.

Shri Bhagvati Temple,Pernem At the entrance of this temple are two elephants who await your welcome. This temple is over 500 years old. Two life size images of elephants in standing position, made of blackstone, on either side at the entrance, welcome visitors. The presiding deity of temple is Goddess Bhagavati in Ashtabhuja (eight hand) form. Bhagavati is said to be one of the incarnation of Parvati and is related to Goddess Durga.The principal festival observed are the 7 days "Bhajanisaptah" at Mandrem, which is celebrated in Kartika. The Zatra, Dussehra and "Shimgo" are other festivals, which are attended by large crowds. Surrounding the main temples can be seen some exquisitely sculptured ancillary deities.

Shri Chandranath Temple-It is 45kms, it is situated on the top of 350m high hill of Chandranath at Paroda The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Chandranath or Lord Shiva who is also the Titular deity of Bhoja Kings. The South Goa Bhojas worshipped the deity years before the Christian era till the middle of the 8th century AD. The temple has the famous Shiva Linga, which was supposed to ooze water with the touch of moonlight.
The main attraction of this temple are the rock carved Shivlings .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.. The ancient wooden chariot in the temple has some very beautiful carvings on it.

Sri Kalika Temple
One of the most important Hindu monuments in North Goa is the temple dedicated to Sri Kalika situated in the Gilla Mahalakshmi Temple. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali, which is the Rudra form of Goddess Durga. The temple represents a fine blend of aesthetics and architectural designs. It is very old temple almost 800 years old.
The Daivadnya Brahmans are the main devotes of this deity. A huge gold "Kalash" atop the dome of the temple beckons thousands of devotees and inquisitive visitors to this otherwise secluded place. 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.