Top 9 Temples in Goa | Styles At Life

The beautiful beach city of Goa houses many temples. Let’s take a look at 9 of them.

1. Shri Saptakoteshwar Temple:

The Shri Saptakoteshwar temple in Narve is 35 kms away from Panji. In the Konkan area, it is considered to be one of the sixth great sites of Lord Shiva temples. The main presiding deity is Saptakoteshwar, a form of Shiva and other deities include a shrine of Kalbhairav and the padukas of Dattatraya carved on the stone.

2. Maruti Temple:

Maruti temple in Panaji, New Goa is located on top of the Altinho hillock overlooking the Fontainhas district. The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanumana, the monkey God and enshrines Lord Hanumana as the presiding deity. The Fontainhas of Phoenix spring is situated near the Maruti temple from which it derives its name. The spring has three tanks. The temple is brilliantly lit at night and thus it is visible even from a distance.

3. Shri Mahalakshmi Temple:

Shri Mahalakshmi temple in Bandivade, 22 kms from Panaji is dedicated to the Goddess of wealth, Mahalakshmi. The temple came into existence in the year 1413. There are two idols of Mahalakshmi in the temple along with idols of other deities such as Shri Ravinath, Shri Baleshwar, Shri Narayan Purush and idols of two devotees named Safto and Fato. The main idol is taken out on a chariot during the festival of MahaShivaratri and the second idol is taken around in a palanquin on the auspicious day of Ramnavami.

4. Bhagavathi Temples:

There are many Bhagavathi temples located in the state of Goa, namely in the places such as Pernem, Khandola, Marcela and Parse. The presiding deity of the temple is worshipped here in the form of MahishasurMardini, a form of Shakti, by GoudSaraswat Brahmin, Daivadnya Brahmin and Bhandari communities. In most of the Goan temples, Bhagavathi is worshipped as one of the Panchayatana deity.

5. Parshurama Temple:

The temple of Lord Parshurama is located atPainguinim in the area of Canacona, Goa. It is dedicated to Lord Parshurama, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. The temple is located around the serene surroundings of forest grove. In the courtyard of the temple, there’s also a representation of ‘Kshetrapala’. The temple has traditional carved wooden pillars and traditional pyramid shaped Shikara.

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6. Ramnathi Temple:

Ramnathi temple is situated in Ramnathim in Bandivade area of Goa. Since this temple belongs to Saraswat Brahmins, it falls under the category of Goan Brahmin temples. Thus it involves the system of Panchayasthan which means the temple has 5 deities which are Shri Ramanath who is also the main deity of the temple,Shanteri, Kamakshi, Laxmi Narayan, Ganapati, Betal and Kalbhairav. The temple also houses other family purushas.

7. Shri Shanta Durga Temple:

The large temple complex of Shri Shanta Temple is located near Panaji, at the foothill of Kavalem village in PondaTaluka region. In 1738, a simple laterite mud shrine was built in the place which was later renovated into a beautiful temple in 1966. This is a private temple dedicated to Goddess ShantaDurga who medidates between Shiva and Vishnu. The temple is a fusion of Indo-Portuguese architecture.

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8. Shri Betal Temple:

Shri Betal temple is located in Amona village in BicholimTaluka area. The temple is dedicated to Shree Betal worshipped in the form of Worrier Shiva who is also the presiding deity. The temple also houses Shiva Pindi and its foot soldiers. The deity of the temple is considered to be the patron deity of GoudSaraswat Brahmin community which is spread all over India.

9. Mahadev Temple:

Mahadev temple located in TambdiSurla is the oldest temple in Goa which is a 12th century Shaivite temple dedicated to Lord Mahadeva, another name of Lord Shiva. The temple remains an active place of worship for the Hindus till date. The temple houses a Shiva lingam and consists of garbagriha, antarala and a pillared Nandi mandapa. The temple also has idols of Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma with their consorts. The centre of the temple also houses a headless Nandi bull. Maha Shiva Ratri is widely celebrated here.

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