Despite the
Portuguese influence that dominated hotels in Goa over the centuries, it is
fascinating to see how such a large number of Hindu temples have
survived here. Uprooted from place to place, the presiding deities were
preserved and worshipped, at times, even in the houses of pujaris
(priests), till they were ultimately ensconced in their present-day
abodes.
Some such old temples of Goa hotels, which are noted for their natural beauty and
simple architecture, have certain basic features, as in the days of yore, of
being surrounded by betel nut trees, coconut groves and lakes of pure water.
When you enter any of these temples you are welcomed by the sentinels-the
great pillars of light.
Among the oldest temples in Goa hotels are the ones built by the Saraswat Brahmins
of Bihar-the Mangeshi Temple of Priol, the Shanta Durga Templeat Kavele,
and the Sri Nagesh Maharudra Temple at Bandora. Of these,unlike all other
ancient deities of hotels in Goa, the Sri Nagesh Maharudra did not move from Bandora
(Bhandiwade) even during the period of the Portuguese inquisition.
Built in 1738 by king Shahu of Satara, this temple is the largest and
most famous in hotels in Goa. This temple hotels in goa is dedicated to Goddess Parvati, the
wife of Lord Shiva. Being the most powerful of all goddesses, she also
takes on a violent form and is then referred to as Durga. Legend has it
that once during a quarrel between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, she
appeared in the form of Durga and helped to amiably resolve the fight.
In the Sanskrit language, Shanta means peace. Thus by combining the two
names, emerged the name Shantadurga, who has now come to be the Goddess
of Peace.
This temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the most ancient
temples in Goa.It was established in 1413, years before Alfonso de
Albuquerque arrived in hotels in Goa. The assembly hall of the temple has pillars
with intricate woodcarvings. These carvings, that have been colourfully
painted, narrate stories from the Hindu epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata.
On either side of the sanctum are ancillary shrines of Lakshmi- Narayan
and Lord Gasnesh. This temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the
most ancient temples in Goa hotels. It was established in 1413, years before
Alfonso de Albuquerque arrived in hotels in Goa. The assembly hall of the temple
has pillars with intricate woodcarvings. These carvings, that have been
colourfully painted, narrate stories from the Hindu epics, Ramayana and
Mahabharata.
Beside the temple is a five-storied deepstambh (lamp tower). Niched on
the lower half of the tower is brightly painted deities. The centuries
old water tank is also worth looking at.The most important festival that
is commemorated here during the month of November is the Anguish Satrap.
This temple is 22 kms. from Panaji (26 kms. from Margao) at Priol in
Ponda Taluka. The temple is dedicated to Lord Manguesh, a form of Shiva,
which is recognised only in Goa hotels. Mythology says that Lord Shiva came to
hotels in Goa after having lost everything in a game of dice against his wife,
Parvati. When Parvati came looking for him, he disguised himself as a
tiger and frightened her. In a state of shock, Parvati uttered the
words, "Trahi Mam Grisha", which when translated means, "O
Lord of the Mountains, save me".
Shiva then reverted into his normal form and returned with her. The
words, "Mam Grisha" came to be associated with this story and
Shiva came to be known as 'Manguesh'. The place where this tale occurred
was marked by building a temple at the site. This location is to the
south of the Zuari River where the present day village of Cortalim
stands. However, when the Portuguese took over, the deity was shifted
from its original location to Priol where it remains today.
This temple, dedicated to lord Shiva, is one of the most serene temples
in Goa hotels. It is situated on the banks of the Kushavati River, which is
said to have medicinal properties. The original temple of this deity was
situated in Margao. The deity was transferred to its present location in
the year 1567 when the Portuguese brought down the original temple and
built the Church of the Holy Spirit in its place. However, the present
day temple building is quite modern. It was built sometime in the 1950s.
The main festival celebrated at this temple is Holi or Gulal. Loads of
devotees from all over hotels in Goa join in the celebrations. This colourful
event is revelled amidst pomp and gaiety for several days.
Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity is the presiding deity in
this temple. This deity was originally located at a temple in the
Salcete taluka. However, in the 16th century, the troops of Adil Shah
attacked the temple and razed it to the ground. The deity though was
rescued and moved to its present location. Hotels In Goa, the goddess Mahalsa
is accepted as Vishnu's consort the temple
However there is another belief that proclaims that Mahalsa is the
female form of Lord Vishnu. Once, Lord Vishnu took the form of Mohini,
an extremely beautiful woman and lured the demons away from their evil
intentions of destroying the world. 'Mohini' was eventually disrupted
and came to be known as 'Mahalsa'. At the entrance to the temple is an
artistic, seven storied lamp tower, which is known as a deepstambh. Made
entirely from brass, this tower stands 12.5 metres high. It is indeed a
sight to see the tower aglow with oil lamps during Goa Holiday resorts festivals. The inner
hall of the temple has carvings of the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu
that have been resplendently goa resorts painted. An embellished silver frame adorns
the doorway to the sanctum. Behind the temple is an ancient water tank.
The ambience around this tank is serene. The main festival celebrated
here is the annual fair of the temple that is held in February. It is
also called the Mardol Zatra. The other festivals observed here are
Mahashivratri and Kojagiri Purnima.
Shri Mahalaxmi Temple is 4 kms from Ponda in the village Bandora. Shri
Nagesh Maharoudra Temple is destined approximately 300 meter apart. The
presiding deity is Shri Mahalaxmi other deities in the temple are Shri
Narayan, Shri Baleshwar, Shri Ravalnath and Shri Narayan Purush. This
place was known in the past as "Bandiwad" or "Bandivadem
The temple 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 few galleries of wooden images of Vishnu Goa Holiday resorts in India. 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 Shilahara rulers (750-1030 A. D.) and the early Kadamba Kings
of Goa hotels worshipped the Goddess Mahalakshmi.Navaratri is celebrated
grandly here. The speciality of this temple is its beautiful chowka
which is famous for its grandeur and beauty.
Built in the 13th century, this is the only temple belonging to the
Kadamba architecture that has stood the test of time. The reason as to
why the Kadambas chose the remote forests of the Sanguem taluka to build
this temple remains unknown but its location has surely helped in its
preservation. The temple has been built with black basalt, which was
probably brought from across the borders, as this rock is not found hotels in
Goa.
The intricate carvings that have been made on the pillars and walls of
the temple are noteworthy. The temple has a simple façade with a
tower or a shikhara right above the sanctum. This tower has the images
of the gods of the Hindu trinity along with their respective Goa Holiday resorts consorts
beautifully carved on it. Lord Shiva facing the north, Lord Vishnu
facing the west and Lord Brahma, the south.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the entrance of the temple faces the east so
that the sunrays at dawn fall directly on the deity. The temple consists
hotels in goa of three parts, the porch at the entrance, also called the mandapa, the
antechamber or the antralaya and the main sanctum where the deity is
placed. This sanctuary is also referred to as the garbhagriha. At the
centre of goa hotels the temple is a statue of the Nandi bull that is supposed to
be Lord Shiva's vehicle. However, the head of the bull no longer exists,
suggesting that there were attacks made on the temple at some point of
time. The Surla River flows close to the temple. Devotees generally take
a dip in this river before entering the temple premises.
