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There are some beautiful temples of Goa which aren’t on the tourist circuit.. attempting to list them starting with Shree Mhalsa Narayani Temple at Verna, Goa. Lord Vishnu in Mohini form is worshipped as Shri Mahalasa Narayani.+
The moorti is beautiful and serene. Devi wears a Janeu which is worn by only one other female deity ie Maa Parvati. The original temple at Varanyapuri (Verna) which was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1567 AD, has a reference first in Skanda Purana. +
However the devotees rescued the original moorti & established it at Mardol in Ponda Taluka. This beautiful temple at Verna has been rebuilt on the original site. It has Pachayatana besides which, worship of Adi Shankaracharya in Goa is also unique to this temple.
Shri Vithal Temple is one of the famous temples located in Sanquelim & built by the Ranes who played a key role in Goa's freedom struggle. Ranes had migrated from Udaipur about 600 years ago. The family house of The Ranes can be seen in the background of the temple.
Shri Vitthala temple built on the banks of Valvanta river was reconstructed in 1942 AD by incorporating the North India style of temple architecture though sanctum-sanctorum was left untouched. Main festivities here are held during the nine days preceding "Chairtra Purnima".
The chhajja always takes me back to the era where ladies & kids must have been sitting on top, while the Utsav murti of the deity was brought out to watch the ongoing performances in the lamp lit hall with the old chandeliers! Temples then were cultural centers too!
Rudreshwar temple & waterfall of Arvalem hold a special place in my heart. I have a special pact with the Lord there. Do visit this place to stand & imagine how our ancestors always saw divinity in the Nature, to feel the oneness .. Cont...
The best season to visit is monsoon or just after it.. the famous Pandava caves with 5 compartments here are carved out of single laterite stone & date back to apx 6th century. Some also opine that these could be Buddhist viharas..cont..
While the caves are ancient & untouched, Rudreshwar temple has been rebuilt over a period of time.. all in all, a tiny piece of history which gives a glimpse of ancient Goa..
https://twitter.com/kokumsherbet/status/1250706257398296577?s=21 https://twitter.com/kokumsherbet/status/1250706257398296577
Shri Shantadurga Kunkalikarin Temple is located at Fatorpa is one of the oldest temples of Goa. Originally from Cuncolim village in Salcete Taluka, the Goddess was removed to Fatorpa in 16th Century during religious persecution by the Portuguese.
During the reign of Maratha ruler Shahu Maharaj, this temple was reconstructed which was previously destroyed by the Portuguese. The temples of Goa were mostly hidden inside the forests with deities shifted from the original sthaan & even today are very scenic places to visit.
Do visit this beautiful temple and also two other Shri Shantadurga temples in close vicinity.
A link of history of Cuncolim village uprising follows just to share the importance of this temple & the fierce Goenkars who did all they could to resist & the ordeal they faced +
A link of history of Cuncolim village uprising follows just to share the importance of this temple & the fierce Goenkars who did all they could to resist & the ordeal they faced +
before shifting the deity from Cuncolim to Fatorpa. Even today once a year, the deity is taken to Cuncolim via the same route as a homecoming & for blessing the villagers of Cuncolim! http://mahatmagandhiphoto.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-cuncolim-revolt-of-goa-july-15-1583.html
Goan temples are run by their Mahajans & not the Govt. They are serene & very clean. Nobody will disturb a visitor for anything & you are expected to return the courtesy. Make it ur personal pilgrimage! Take ur kids to show this Goa too! Enjoy exploring roads & stalls like this.
Shri Vijayadurga Saunsthan, Keri! This is another temple that nestles in the lap of nature & is an absolutely plastic free & silent zone. Goddess Shantadurga in her aggressive form destroyed the demons who were harassing the local Brahmins so she earned the name Vijaya!
The temple is shifted here in 1567 as the original temple was burnt down with other temples. The beautiful serene drive & surroundings, a lovely stream near by, the carved wooden ceiling mandap & the divine murti of Devi Vijayadurga keeps calling a seeker back to this temple!
Devi Vijayadurga is also called Vaijari by her Mahajans. Some info from the net in the pic.
Idea of this thread is to walk you to these temples which have unique deities & architecture, with a hope that it helps to kindle interest in the rich heritage of ancient Goa.
Idea of this thread is to walk you to these temples which have unique deities & architecture, with a hope that it helps to kindle interest in the rich heritage of ancient Goa.
I missed 2 things .. Vijayadurga celebrates Navratri in Margashirsh month unlike d popular Ashwin Navratri. Also it is said that a tiger used to be sighted during Navratri in d olden days.
Secondly it has continuous Annadan, simple & divine tasting prashad which I don’t miss!
Secondly it has continuous Annadan, simple & divine tasting prashad which I don’t miss!
