HINDUISM AND TEMPLES IN GOA

Hindu Religion and Goa

Although Goa has a very old history of religion which dates back to 10000-8000 BC and its name comes in epic Mahabharata and great king Ashoka ruled here in 300 BC yet due to foreign invasion Hindu religion vanished from here. In 1700 population of Hinduism was less than 8%. Maximum people accepted Christianity as religion and there are no old temples left here older than 300 years except Old Shiva Temple at Tambdi Surla in a remote corner. It is dated back to 12-13 century and is in Dravidian style.

Temples formed afterwards have a print of Portuguese style. The famous temples of Goa worth seeing are:-

Shri Mahalasa:-

 Mahalasa means Shakti (Madalsa or Narayani) and this temple of Mahalasa is situated in Mardol and is hardly 1 km from Mangueshi. This is also associated with Lord Vishnu manifestation as Mohini. It has carvings in wood of 10 incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Shri Shantadurga Temple  Kavlem

Built in 1738 by King Shahu of Satara, and is the most famous and largest temple of Goa. It is dedicated to Goddess Parvati. Parvati is considered the most powerful Goddess and took the form of Devi Durga for the assignation of the asuras. Shanta in Sanskrit means peace. According to legends when there was a fight between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu then Devi Parvati adopted the form of Durga and pacified the fight amicably and that is why it is called Shanta Durga.

Shri Manguesh Temple Priol

This temple is 22 km from Panaji.  This temple is dedicated to Lord Manguesh a form of Lord Shiva. According to mythology Lord Shiva came to Goa after losing everything in gambling to His wife parvati. When Parvati came to search him he disguised himself as a tiger to frighten Her. In a state of shock Parvati uttered the words Trahi Mam Gigisha which means Save me Lord of mountains. Then Shiva came in His original form and both returned back.

Shri Naguesh Temple Bandora

This is the oldest temple and is dedicated to lord Shiva. Naguesh means lord of nags or snakes. The temple has pillars with intricate wooden carvings from the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Shri Damodar Temple

This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated on the banks of river Kushawati and is most serene. Origonal temple was in margao and the Diety was shifted in 1567 to its present place. Present day building is quite modern and was built in 1950.

Shri Mahalakshmi Temple Bandode 

The temple is 4 km from ponda in the village bandore. Shri nagesh Maharudra temple is 300 mtr apart. Here in the temple along with Mahalakshmi other Dities are Shri Narayan Shri Baleshwar, Shri Rawalnath and Shri Narayan Purush. The special feature of Mahalakshmi is that she wears a linga on her head.

Shri Mahadev Temple Tambdi Surla

Built in 13 century this temple is in Kadamba architecture. It is formed with black basalt which is not found in Goa and brought from outside. There are intricate carvings on the pillars and walls to highlight this temple. The temple faces the east.

 Bhagwati Temple

Navdurga Temple