Temples of Goa

Shree Saptakoteshwar Temple, North Goa, Narve : This small temple is situated at Narve, 37 Kms from Panaji near Bicholim. It is dedicated to Lord Saptakoteshwara, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. The deity originally was based in a temple on Divar Island, off Old Goa. It was a much favored deity of the Kadambas, and after Goa fell to the Muslims, the deity was buried and later found and a temple constructed for it on Divar Island. It was moved to its present site after the temple on Divar island was destroyed by the Portuguese. Shivaji, the great Maratha king, ordered its renovation at its present site in 1688 during his attempt to oust the Portuguese. The deity worshiped is the “Lingam” and is faceted and known as the “Dharalinga”.

Shree Mahadev Bhumika Temple, North Goa, Sal : This temple is situated at Sal, near Bicholim. It is dedicated to Lord Mahadeva, an incarnation of Lord Shiva.Shree Vittal Mandir, North GoaShree Vittal Mandir, Sanquelim
This temple is situated within the fortress that houses the ancestral home of the Ranes in Sanquelim, about 6 kms from Bicholim. It is the family deity of the Ranes , who were prominent in opposing the Portuguese during the early days.

Shree Dattatraya Temple, North Goa, Sanquelim : This is a temple situated at Sanquelim about 6 Kms from Bicholim. It is dedicated to Lord Dattatraya.Shree Rudreshwar Temple, North GoaShree Rudreshwar Temple, Aravalem
This temple is situated at Aravalem, just by the scenic Aravalem Waterfalls. It is dedicated to Lord Rudreshwar, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. It is the site of the annual “Shivratri Zatra” which draws thousands of people. Nearby is the famous “Pandava Caves”.

Shree Damodar Temple, South Goa, Zambaulim : This beautiful temple is situated at Zambaulim, about 22 kms from Margao, on the banks of the Kushawati river. The deity was originally based in a temple at the exact spot where the Church of Holy Spirit stands in Margao today. It was moved in the year 1565 to escape the Portuguese Inquisition when the original temple was destroyed and the Church of Holy Spirit built on its site. It is revered by both Christians and Hindus alike. The Kushawati river is supposed to have great healing powers and many a devotee takes a bath here to cure themselves of bodily ills. The main festival celebrated is Shigmo, the Goan Hindu festival of color.

Shree Chandranath Temple, South Goa, Paroda : This temple is situated at Paroda, on top of a 359 m high hill in Quepem taluka. The deity is Lord Chandranath or Lord of the Moon; an incarnation of Lord Shiva. This was the deity of the Bhojas, a dynasty that ruled early Goa.The temple is so designed that the main deity, the Lingam receives moonlight on every full moon. It is also said that whenever moonlight shines on the Lingam, it oozes water. The present building dates back from the 17th century, but reportedly there has been a temple there for over 1500 yrs. From the base the temple is approached by a steep flight of steps. Another attraction is the ancient chariot with its exquisite wooden carvings.

Shree Navdurga Sanusthan, South Goa, Borim : This temple is situated at Borim, 12 kms from Margao. The deity is Goddess Navdurga, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva. The deity was brought by a group of Brahmans from Karad in Maharashtra to Benaulim, in Salcette taluka and subsequently moved to its present site at Borim.

Shree Shantadurga Temple, South Goa, Fatorpa : This temple is situated at Fatorpa, 18 kms from Margao. The deity is dedicated to Goddess Shantadurga, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva. The deity originally came from Cuncolim in Salcette taluka and was moved to Fatorpa in the 16th century to escape the wanton destruction of Hindu temples during that time by the Portuguese.