Goa abounds in temples, ranging from the famous ones of Mangueshi and Shantadurga to the well preserved relic of Tamdi Surla, dating back to about the 12th century.

 

Shree Bhagavati

28 kms from Panaji in Pernem Taluka, the temple is said to be more than 500 years old. Made of black stone, two life size images of elephants in a standing position at the entrance welcomes visitors.. Dussehra is celebrated with gaiety when over 25 thousand devotees assemble at the temple.

 

Bhagavati Temple

Situated 7 kms. from Pernem in Pernem Taluka in Parshem, the complex has five temples, the main one being of Shri. Bhagavati, The Devi Bhagavati temple has two unique Deepstambhas. The main festivals are Dassehra and the annual Zatra.

 

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

Situated on the 350-metre high hill of Chandranath at Paroda, Quepem, Chandreshwar was the titular deity of the Bhoja kings who ruled South Goa till the middle of the 8th century. They had named their capital Chandrapur after the deity. The temple is so designed that the Linga receives moonlight on every full moon. The temple commands a panoramic view and its surroundings are enchanting.

 

Damodar Temple

22 kms from Margao at Zambaulim, Sanguem, this temple is situated in picturesque surroundings on the banks of the river Kushavati, The deity is worshipped by Hindus and Christians alike. A week long celebration of Shigmo is packed with programmes which include a colourful fair, exchange of gulal, collective meals and shows on popular legends and folk culture.

 

Datta Mandir

Located at Dattawadi, Sanquelim, 40 kms from Margao, this century old temple of the Trimurthy has a backdrop of a beautiful hillock covered with dense groves of areca palms. The most important festival is Datta Jayanti which falls in the month of December. The deity is believed to have cured many people of unsound mind. The entire interior consists of white marble.

 

Devi Sharvani

The Vithal Maharudra Panchayatan complex comprises temples of Goddess Sharvani, Mahadev and Vetal with his life size image of stone and other deities. Situated in scenic surroundings at Advolpal in North Goa, close to Assonora, the Goddess is known for fulfilling the vows of her devotees who also perform Tulbhar to propitiate her. Thousands of devotees throng on Vardhapan day, during Divja Zatra day and on annual zatra days.

 

Devkikrishna–Ravalnath

Situated in Marcela, Ponda, this temple is popularly known as Pisso Ravalnath. The most important festival is ‘Malni Pournima’ in January.

 

Gomanteshwar Devasthan Brahmapur

Situated near Ela Farm at Old Goa, Mahade was worshipped during the days of the Kadamba Kingdom in Goa. The Madan Tirtha Goraksha Math is a reminder of the glory of the place.

 

Gomantak Tirupati Balaji Padmavati Temple

Blesses by Jagad Guru Shri. Sanuarcharya Swamigal of Shri. Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthan, it is located in the temple circuit of Ponda Taluka.

 

Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Charitable Trust

The Temples of Sri Balaji and Sri Padmavati at Cuncoliem with. the idols of Sri. Balaji and Sri Padmavati have been donated by the Tirupati Devasthan

 

Shree Gopal Ganapati

Situated 26 kms. from Panaji at Farmagudi, Ponda, amidst beautiful natural surroundings, near Bandora.. 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 with the idol made of metal alloy was consecrated on April 24, 1966.

 

Kalikadevi Temple

Situated 14 kms from Mapusa at Kansarpal, this temple is said to be about a hundred years old. Divided into outer halls,it has a stage to perform dramas on festive occasions. The inner shrine contains a reserved image of Goddess Kali. Agrashalas surrounding the temple provide facilities for lodging to devotees.

 

Kamakshi Saunsthan Shiroda

Situated 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 the Panaji-Valpoi highway. The temple is unique in North Goa with its combination of northern and southern art. The deity Lairai is famour all over Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka, for her unique ‘Homakund’. Every year thousands of devotees attend the annual feast of the deity to witness the walking of Dhonds through the sacred fire called ‘Homakund’.

 

Mahadev Temple

66 kms from Panaji in Sanguem Taluka at the foot of the Ghats at Tambdi Surla is the only specimen of Kadamba–Yadava 13th century architecture in basalt stone preserved in Goa. A road connects Sanvordem to this temple complex.

 

Shree Mahadeo Bhumika

Situated 25 kms from Mapusa, this temple complex at Sal, Bicholim has beautiful natural surroundings. The three day festival of Gadens which begins on Phalgun Purnima draws big crowds. Devotees believe they can have the darshan of ‘Devchars’ during the Gade festival.

 

Mahadev Temple

Situated 74 kms from Panaji in Sanguem Taluka, it has a rich legacy and pre-Portuguese history and heritage. The temple dates back to the 10th or 11th century A.D. Made of

 

laterite exteriors and basalt interiors, the temple has a cave style structure. In the central bay of the vestibule is the traditional ‘Nandi’ vehicle of Shiva made of basalt. The temple has typical Kadamba style motifs.

 

Madanant Temple

Situated in Savoi Verem, 12 kms from Ponda and 30 kms from Panaji, this 500-year-old temple is surrounded by hills and fields, areca nut farms, coconut and cashew trees.

 

Maha Ganapati Mandir

Located at Madel in the Tivim Village Panchayat area of Bardez in North Goa.

 

During the month of August (Shravan) the temple is lluminated and beautifully decorated. In 1970, four statues of Ganapati, Mahishasur Mardani and some others were found.

 

Shree Mahalsa

Located at Mardol, one km from the Shri. Mangueshi temple, the deity worshipped here is an attribute of Vishnu.

 

Shree Mahalaxmi

Situated in the village of Bandode, about 4 kms from Ponda this is considered the abode of the original Goddess of the Shakti cult.. 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 (9750 – 1030 A.D.) and the early Kadamba Kings of Goa.

 

Shree Mallikarjun

40 kms from Margao at Canacona, this temple is believed to have been constructed during the middle of the 16th century by ancestors of the Kshatriya Samaj and was renovated in the year 1778. Rathasaptami in February and Shigmotsav in March /April are the festivals of note, which draw large crowds.

 

Shree Manguesh

22 kms from Panaji (26 kms from Margao) at Priol Ponda Taluka this famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva 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 countryside landmark..

 

Morjaee Mandir

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 every odd numbered year-- three, five, seven or nine years. The concluding seven days of the Phalgun Shuddha Panchami is a big religious and cultural affair, drawing crowds not only from Goa but from Sindhudurg to Karwar.

 

Shree Naguesh

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, in 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 on the Ramayana on one side and wooden images of Astadikpal and Gandharva on the other.

 

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.

 

Navdurga

28 kms from Panaji, this temple at Madkai holds its annual zatra is in November.

 

Ramnath Mandir

Located 33 kms from Panaji in Ponda Taluka, this temple, besides the shrine of the main Ramnath deity, has four small temples of Laxminarayan,. Shantadurga (Sateri), Betal and Sidhanath. The five together constitute Shri. Ramnath Panchayatan. The legend in mythology says that Rameshwar is the original abode of Lord Ramnath.

 

Rudreshwar Temple

Located in Bicholim Taluka, 45 kms. from Panaji, the temple of Rudreshwar is very close to the rock-cut caves of Harvalem where the ancient linga of Rudreshwar is venerated. The idyllic Harvalem waterfalls is close by. The festival of Mahashivaratri draws big crowds Hindus perform rites for the dead here.

 

Shree Saptakoteshwar

37 kms from Panaji at Narve–Bicholim, this was a favoured deity of the Kadamba Kings. Its original temple was situated in the island of Diwar. The linga worshipped in this temple is faceted and is known as ‘Dharalinga’.

 

Sapteshwar Bhagvati

Situated 17 kms from Mapusa at Mandrem in Pernem Taluka, the complex has five temples, the main ones being of Shri. Sapteshwar and Bhagavati.

 

Saunsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevotam Math

Located at Partagali village on the banks of the sacred rivulet Kushavati, this Math established by Shreemad Narayanateertha Swami in 1475 A.D. has an uninterrupted tradition of 23 Swamis. This is an ancient Math of the Gaud Saraswat Brahmin Vaishnav community. 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.

 

Saunsthan Goudapadacharya Kavle Math

This Math is a heritage of the Goud Saraswat Smarth community with branches all over India. The Math situated at Kavalem, in Ponda Taluka is named after the historic seer and exponent of the Adwaita System of Vedanta

 

Shree Shantadurga

Located near the Mangueshi Temple at Mardol, Ponda this temple s dedicated to Shantadurga, the Goddess who mediates between Vishnu and Shiva. It has a rich and beautiful Garbhakunda or the Holy of Holies where the deity is kept.

Shree Shantadurga Mandir

Located 14 kms from Mapusa at Dhargal, Pernem, the ‘Zatra’ of the reigning doddess is held in the month of December. The temple is set amidst beautiful natural surroundings.

 

Shree Shantadurga (Kunkolienkarin)

Situated 18 kms from Margao at Fatorda (Quepem), its annual Zatra, fails in the month of Pausha Shuddha Navami and attracts thousands of devotees from all over Goa.

 

Tapobhoomi

The Tapobhoomi complex at Kundai is a centre of pilgrimage to students of Hindu culture and religion and is spread over an area of 10,000 sq.mts. The complex houses a chamber for meditation, an Ayurveda centre, a Yoga centre , a library and other facilities.

 

Shree Vithal Mandir

41 kms from Panaji, situated at Vithalwadi, Sanquelim, Shri. Vithal is the ancestral God of the ‘Ranes’. The main festival is Chaitri (April).

Forever GOA