Goan temples are unique and stand apart from other Indian temples in their distinct architecture, location, spaciousness, and environment. Almost each and every village has one temple to serve the religious and spiritual aspirations of the Hindu devotees. Both old temples with a rich heritage of centuries and new ones attract hundreds of devotees from all over Goa and other parts of India. The Archaeological Survey of India is actively engaged in excavation, renovation and also relocation where necessary of ancient heritage temples. We present the most famous temples of Goa for your knowledge of the magnificent diversity of Hindu religion in Goa.

Most of the Hindu temples of interest are close to Ponda, on the inland route between Panaji and Margao. The Shiva temple of Shri Mangesh is at Priol-Ponda Taluka, about 22 Km from Panaji. The tiny temple with its white tower, a local landmark, is on top of a small hill. Only a Km further down the road is Shri Mahalsa, a Vishnu temple. About 5 Km from Ponda are Shri Ramnath and Shri Mahalakshmi, and nearby is the Shri Shantadurga temple. Dedicated to Shantadurga, the goddess of peace, it has a strange, almost pagoda like tower in the temple compound.

Shri Anant Devasthan - Savoi - Veram
This unique temple is situated at Savoi-Verem village in Ponda taluka. The deity carved in black stone is Lord Vishnu (the God of Preservation) who is in his Anantashayya (a sleeping position where the Lord rests on the multi-headed snake king Seshnaga, whose heads shelter the head of the Lord like an umbrella). Established in 1923 A.D., this temple is the only one containing this posture of the Lord in Goa. The sprawling temple complex consisting of temples of Shantadurga, Kamini, Narayan and Grampurush, and pillars with intricate wooden carvings and plated with silver are worth seeing.

Rudreshwar Temple at Harvalem
Located in Bicholim taluka at a distance of 45 Kms from Panaji, the temple of Rudreshwar is half a Km. away from the rock-cut caves of Harvalem where the ancient linga of Rudreshwar is venerated. The idyllic Harvalem waterfall is close by. the image of Rudreshwar is facing the water falls. The festival of Mahashivaratri draws big crowd. However, the temple assumes importance as Hindu's perform rites for the dead here.

Shri Mahadeo Bhumika at Sal, Bicholim
Situated at a distance of 25 kms. from Mapusa, temple complex has beautiful natural surroundings. The three-day festival of 'Gades' which begins on Phalgun Purnima draws big crowd. The devotees believe that people can have the darshan of 'Devchars' during Gade festival.

Morjaee Temple at Morjim
Situated at Morjim in Pernem taluka this ancient historical temple complex is situated amidst natural surroundings. The main festival is "Kalas Utsav" which is celebrated once in every three, five, seven or nine years. The duration of the festival is nearly a month beginning from Phalgun Shudda Panchami. The concluding seven days is a big religious and cultural affair when people not only from Goa but from Sindhudurga to Karwar assemble in large number. Other festivals are Gudi Padwa, Dussehra, annual Zatra, "divzam" and ghodemodni.

Shri Bhagavati Temple at Parshem
Situated at a distance of 7 kms. from Pernem in Pernem Taluka, the complex has five temples, main temples being of Shri Bhagavati, other temples are of Shri Sateri, Shri Dev Ravalnath, Shri Dev Bhivangi Panchakshari & Brahma (Shri Vishnu, Shri Ganapathi, Shri Shankar). Devi Bhagavati Temple has two Deepstambhas unique of their kind. Main festivals are Dassehra and annual Zatra.

Shri Chandranath
45 Kms. It is situated on the top of 350 metres high hill of Chandranath at Paroda, Quepem. Chandreshwar was the 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 full moon fall on it. The temple is so designed that Linga receives moonlight on every full moon. the temple commands a Panoramic view and its surroundings are enchanting. The temple's ancient chariot is well known for its wood carvings.

Shri Damodar
22 Kms. from Margao at Zambaulim-Sanguem, situated in picturesque surroundings on the bank of river Kushavati, popularly 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 week celebration of Shigmo is packed with programmes which include a colourful fair, exchange of gulal, collective meals and presentation of shows on popular legends and folk culture. The deity was originally in Margao.

Shri Datta Mandir
37 Kms. at Dattawaddi, Sanquelim, 40 kms. from Margao. The Century old temple of Trimurthy (Hindu Triaed) has a back drop of a beautiful hillock covered with dense groves of areca palms. The most important festival, which iss attended by devotees from all over Goa, is Datta Jayanti which falls in the month of December. The deity is believed to have cured many people of unsound mind. The entire interior consist of white marble.

Shri Gopal Ganapati
26 Kms. 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 the sudden appearance of the Maratha King Sambhaji with a large army. Farmagudi commemorates this event. The stone image of Gopal Ganapati was discovered hy herdsmen while gazing cattle near the hill and later installed in a small shrine with a thached roof. The temple built by late Shri Dayanand Bandodkar, the first Chief Minister of Goa has the idol, made of metal allowy, consecrated April 24, 1996. It is good specimen of Indian temple architecture synthesizing both ancient and modern.

Shri Kalikadevi
14 Kms. from Mapusa at Kansarpal. It is said to be about hundred years old. Divided into two outer halls, supported of seven rows of four pillars, has a stage to perform dramas on festive occasions. The inner shrine contains the revered image of Goddes 'Kalli' a fierce form of Devi. Agrashalas (Rest House) surrounding the temple provide facilities for lodging to the devotees.

Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
Like many of the other Hindu temples, this temple which was originally located in Portuguese controlled Sancoale, Salcete, also fell to the Inquisition in 1567. However, many of the artifacts from the original temple were smuggled across the Zuari river into Ponda which at that time was not under Portuguese rule. The temple was constructed in the 1700's. In the picture to the right, we see the temple water tank which is fed by a fresh water stream from a spring located on the hillsides. Goan Hindus believe Lakshmi Narasimha to be a half man, half lion form of Vishnu.

Shri Mahalaxmi
Situated in the village of Bandode, about 4 kms. from Ponda. It is considered the abode of the original Goddess of the Shakti cult. The Sabhamandap has gallery of 18 images, out of 24 images of emantory aspects of bhagvata sect. which is considered one of the large galleries of wooden images of Vishnu in India. The image of Mahalakshimi 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 Satvika form of the Devi.

Shri Mallikarjuna
40 kms. from Margao at Canacona, the southern most taluka of Goa, is believed to have been constructed during the middle of 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 60 deities around the temple. Rathasaptami in February and Shigmostsav in April are the festivals of note, which draw large crowds.