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The temples of
Goa are in essence like most
Hindu temples in India, based
around a deity which is
worshipped. The architecture of
Goan temples is a little
different mostly because of
historical reasons.
The fundamental design of any
Hindu temple is organized around
the central shrine or the "Garbagriha"
or the "sanctum sanctorum" that
houses the main deity. A tower
or "Shikara" arises from the
main shrine and is traditionally
pyramidal shaped. There are
usually two or more smaller
shrines housing other deities
known as "Parivar Devatas"
around the entrance to the
Garbagriha.
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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 postition,
made of black stone
on either side at
the entrance welcome
the visitors.
The Goddess Bhagvati
Asthbhuja in a
standing position on
a high pedestal, is
very imposing.
Dussehra is
celebrated with
gaiety from Ashwin
Shuddha Pratipada to
Poomima, when over
25 thousand devotees
assemble at the
temple. |
 Rudreshwar
Temple at Harvalem
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.
The image of
Rudreshwar is facing
the water fall. The
festival of
Mahashivaratri draws
big crowd. However,
the temple assumes
importance as Hindus
perform rites for
the dead here. |
Shri 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
Pumima draws big
crowd. The devotees
believe that people
can have the darshan
of 'Devchars' during
Gade festival. |
Morjaee Temple at
Morjim
Situated at Morjim
in Pemem 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
Panchami.
The concluding seven
days is a big
religious and
cultural affair when
people not only from
Goa but from
Sindhudurg to Karwar
assemble in large
number. Other
festivals are Gudi
Padwa, Dussehra,
annual Zatra, "divzam"
and ghodemodni. |
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. |
Shri
Devkikrishna-Ravalnath
17 km at Marcela,
Ponda.
Popularly known as
Pisso Ravalnath. The
most important
festival is "Maini
Paumima" in the
month of Pausa. |
 Shri
Gopal Ganapati
Temple
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.
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 has 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. |
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