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Shri
Bhagavati: It is
28kms. in Pernem. 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 blackstone, on either side at the entrance,
welcome visitors. The Goddess Bhagavati Ashtabhuja in a sanding position
on a high pedestal, is very imposing. The Dusshera is celebrated with
gaiety from Asvin Shuddha Pratipada to Poornima, when over 25 thousand
devotees assemble at the temple.
Shri
Bhagatvati Temple at Parshem: Situated at a distance of 7kms. from
Pernem in Pernem Taluka, the complex has five temples, main temple being
Shri Bhagavati, other temples are of Shri Sateri, Shridev Ravalnath,
Shri Dev Bhivangi Panchakshari & Bhrama (Shri Vishnu, Shri
Ganapati, Shri Shankar), Devi Bhagavati Temple has two Deepstambha
unique of its kind. Main festival Dusshera & annual Zatra.
Brahma
Temple: It is 7kms. from Valpoi, in the village of Carambolim
Brahma. This Shrine belongs to the 5ht century A.D. It is one of the few
temple dedicated to Lord Brahma found in India.
Shri
Chandranath: It is 45kms, it is situated on the top of 350m
high hill of Chandranath at Paroda, Quepem. Chandreshwar was titular
deity of Bhoja Kings who ruled south Goa before the Christian era till
the middle of 8th century. They had named their capital Chandrapur after
their deity. 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. Temple's ancient chariot is
well known for its wood carvings.
Shri
Damodar : It is 22kms, from Margoa at Zambaulim -- Sanguem, situated
in picturesque surroundings on the banks of the Kushavati river, popular
known as Panti. Near the temple the river is regarded particularly holy
and is said to have medicinal properties. The deity is worshipped
by the Hindus and Christians alike. A weeklong celebration of Shimoga is
packed with programmes which includes a colourful fair, exchange of
GULAL, collective meals and presentation of shown on popular
legends and folk culture. The deity was originally in Margoa.
Shri
Datta Mandir : It is 37kms, at Sanquelim. The century old temple of
Trimurthy (Hindu triad) has a backdrop of a beautiful hillock covered
with dense groves of areca palms. The most important festival, which is
attended by devotees from allover Goa, is Datta Jayanti which falls in
the month of December. The deity is believed to have cured many people
of unsound mind.
Shri
Gopal Ganapati : It is 26kms. 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
sudden appearance of the Maratha image of Gopal Ganapati was discovered
by herdsmen while grazing the cattle near the hill and Later installed
in small shrine with a thatched roof. The temple was built by late Shri
Dayanand Balkrishna Bandodkar, an inhabitant of the place and the Chief
Minister of Goa. The idol, made of metal alloy, was consecrated on April
24, 1966. It is a good specimen of Indian temple architecture
synthesising both ancient and modern.
Shri
Kalikadevi : It is 14kms. from the Mapusa at Kansarpal. It is said
to be about eight hundred year old. 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.
Temple
of Shri Mahadeva at Tambdi Surla : 66kms, in Sanguem Taluka at the
foot of the Ghats, is the only specimen of Kadamba-Yadava architecture
(13th century) in basalt stone preserved and available in Goa. A
motorable road connects Sancordem to this temple complex.
Shri
Mahalakshmi : Situated in village of Bandode, about 4kms. from Ponda.
It is considered the abode of the original Goddess of the Shakti
cult. The Sabhamandap has a gallery of 18 images, out of 24 images of
emanatory aspects of Bhagvata sect, which is considered one of the rare
galleries of wooden images of Vishnu in India. The image of Mahalakshmi
has a close resemblance to that of Mahalakshmi at Kolhapur, the main
centre of worship. Her special feature id that she wear a linga on her
head ,
and considered a peaceful or satvika form of the Devi. The Goddess
Mahalakshmi was worshipped by Shilahara rulers (750-1030 A.D.) and the
early Kadamba Kings of Goa.
Shri
Mahalsa :
At Mardol, one km. from Shri Manguesh temple. The deity worshipped is an
attribute of Vishnu (Mohini during the fight between Devas and Asuras).
Main Festivals: Zatra (February) and Navaratra.
Shri
Mallikarjuna : 40kms. from Margoa at Canacona, the southern most
taluka of Goa, is believed to have been constructed during the Middle of
the 16th century by ancestors of the Kshatriya Samaj. It was renovated
in the year 1778. The temple has massive wooden pillars with intricate
carvings. There are deities around the temple. Rathasaptami in February
and Shigmotsav in April are the Festivals of note, which draw large
crowds.
Shri
Manguesh : 22kms. (6kms. from Margoa) at Priol - Ponda Taluka.
It is a located on a hillock surrounded by rolling green hills. Though
small it has it has an air of distinctive elegance. Its lofty white
tower at the entrance is a landmark of the country side. This is a
temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Shri
Naguesh : Dedicated to Lord Shiva, is situated in the village of
Bandode about 4kms. to the east of Ponda. The temple Sabhamandap has a
gallery on both sides that contain exquisite specimen of the intricate
wood carvings of the event of Ramayana on one side and wooden images of
Astadikpal and Gandharva.
Shri
Ramnath : 33kms. in Ponda Taluka. 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 legend in mythology says
Rameshwar is the original code abode of Lord Ramnath.
Shri
Saptakoteshwar : 37kms. at Narve- Bicholim, was a favored deity if
Kadamba Kings. Its original temple was situated in the island of Diwadi.
It was destroyed by the Portuguese and Idol was shifted to its present
side at Narve (Bicholim). Many yeas afterwards in 1668 A.D. Chatrapati
Shivaji ordered renovation of this temple at the present site during
one of his campaigns to oust the Portuguese. The linga worshipped in the
temple is faceted and is known as 'Dharalinga'.
Sapteshwar-
Bhagavati Temple at Mandrem : Situated 20kms. from Mapusa in pernem
taluka, the complex has five temples, main temples being of Shri
Sapteshwar and Bhagwati. Other temples, are Narayan, Ravalnath and
Satpurush-Rampurush, Dusshera, Zatra, Bhajani Saptah are the main
festivals. The temples were renovated four years ago.
Shri
Shantadurga : 33kms. Sumptuously built at Kavem, is dedicated to
Santadurga, the Goddess who mediates between Vishnu and Shiva. Has rich
an d
beautiful Gharbhakada or the holy of holies were the deity is kept. The
deity was shifted from Keisi. Agrashalas provide lodging faculties to
devotees.
Shri
Shantadurga : 14kms. from Mapusa at Dhargal, pernem,
Circa 1500 A.D. when all temples in Bardez were destroyed by the
Portuguese inquisition in Goa Therefore, in Circa 1550A.D. this Goddess
was removed at Sanquelim. It was the time of the notorious. Therefore in
Circa 1550 A.D. this Goddess was taken to Dhargal in Pernem Taluka
which also formed part of Sawantwadi principality. The was 'Zatre' of
this Goddess is held in the month of December. The temple has beautiful
surroundings.
Shri
Shantadurga (Kunkalikarin) : 18kms, from Margoa, at Fatorpa (Quepem)
Originally from Cuncolim Village in Salcete taluka, the Goddess was
remove to Fatorpa in 16th century during religious persecution by the
Portuguese. The annual zatra, which falls in the months of Pausha Shudda
Navami, attracts thousands of devotees from all over Goa.
Shri
Vithal Mandir : 41kms, situated at Vitthalwadi, Sanquelim. Shri
Vithal is the ancestral Goa of 'Ranes' who had put up prolonged
memorable resistance to Portuguese rule. The main festival is Chaitra
(April). Its celebrated is a lavish affair for the people of miles
around.
Shri
Saunsthan Goudpadacharaya Kavale Math : This Math is a brilliant
heritage of the Goud Saraswat Community with branches all over India.
This Math situated at Kavalem, in Ponda Talkua, is named after the
Srimad Gaudapadacharya the first amongst the eminent Acharyas; the first
historic seer and exponent of the Adwaite system of Vedanta. The Math
was shifted from Cortalim in the year 1630 during the inquisition period
and re-establishment by Srimad Satchidanand Saraswati Swamji.
Shri
Saunsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevotam Math : Located at
Partagali Village on the banks of the scared rivulet Kushavati, this
Math established by Shreemad Narayanateertha Swamiji in the year 1475
A.D. has an uninterrupted tradition of 23 Swamijis. This is an ancient
Math of the Goud Saraswat Bhramin Vaishnav Community which maintained
contact with scattered members of the community. The symbol representing
the spiritual movement carried on by the Math for over 500 years is one
of the few huge ancient 'Vatavriksha' (Banyan tree) which is about
200 meters to the north of the Math with 220 aerial roots and total area
admeasuring 235feets * 225feets and is considered a Tapasya Kshetra for
over a thousand years. Vatavriksha and the Ishwar linga in front of it
are worshipped by the people of Partagali and adjoining area. This place
is popularly known as Bramhasthan. Partagali is being developed into a
centre of culture and learning without in any way tempering with its
glorious traditions.
The
Temple of Maruti in Mapusa
Between
the years of 1589 and 1812 there was no temple in Mapusa as the y
had all been destroyed. SAKHARAM KHADILAR known as 'Ramdasibuva' roamed
the country side singing praises to Lord Rama and spreading his
teachings. He lodged at a rest house in Mapusa and would conduct the
chanting of Holy songs called 'Bhajans' with pooja to the all powerful
Lord Maruti, to all powerful Lord Maruti, son of the god of Wind
whose picture he would adore. he soon had followers from among the Jains
who lived in the area. The picture of Lord Maruti was then kept at
a shop of fireworks belonging to one Ladko Pokle while While Ramdasibuva
returned to his own home. The following year he came back with a silver
idol of Maruti which replaced the picture at Pokle's shop on the 11th of
Apirl 1843. By now the place teeming with devotees. Pokle's shop's was
acquire the temple built and idol placed. by coincidence it faced the
South. The Goa no temple or house faces south as it is believed
that evil sprits enter from this direction . The south facing Lord
Maruti is supposed to fight evil forces and protect his devotees
from bad lack that could last up to seven years. when prayed to, he
answers prayers and is to of strict nature. The rituals are followed in
same manner. The temple has an entrance facing the north. It was built
in stages with the sponsorship of the rich and the business community of
Mapusa. It has a richly carved silver doorway made by local artisan. The
floor is marble and on the north side is carved teak wood Palanquin
that is used to carry the deity in procession on the day of
its feast.
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