Goa is famous for beaches and fun but did you know, A very famous temple also resides in Goa, yes, it’s true and the temple is, Sri Shanta Durga Temple.

The beautiful temple is a private temple located at the foothills of Kavlem Village, in 30 kms distance from Panjim, Ponda Taluka, Goa.

It is a popular pilgrimage center. The temple belongs to Gaud Saraswat Brahman Samaj, and is dedicated to Shree Shanta Durga Devi who is also the Kuldevi of them. Shantadurga Devi is the goddess who mediates between Vishnu ji and Shiv ji. The goddess is also called ‘Santeri’.

History

According to records, the original temple was built at Quelossim in Salcete which was destroyed around 1566 by the Portuguese. After this the Idol was shifted to Kavlem, and people started continuing their worship there. The temple was established in 1728 as a mud shrine where Durga murti was installed, which later got converted into a temple in 1738 and was later renovated in 1966. The temple is believed to be built by King Chattrapati Shahu Maharaj of Satara, the grandson of Shivaji Maharaj, near about 1738. However the exact dates is not clear for any of the above incidents.

Architectural design

The temple is east facing. The temple consists of one main temple and three small temples.

The temple consists of collection of pyramid shaped roofs with a done built in an Indo-Portuguese style. The pillars and floors of the temple are built from Kashmir stones. The pyramid shape ‘Shikara’ on roofs of the entrance and the ‘Shabhamandap’ the main hall, the Roman style windows, the maroon-peach-white coloured temple makes it looks a piece of art of architects.

The temple also has a huge tank, a Deepstamba (lamp tower) in white colour, with many small windows to hold lighted earthen lamps of six-stories high, and Guesthouses. The temple also consists of small lake inside the temple campus, surrounded by beautiful English style walls.

The main attraction of the temple is the Golden Palki on which the dirty is carried on festive occasions during five Mahapanchmi.

The huge entrance gate has a board as “श्री शांतादुर्गा विजयते”.

Significance and beliefs

This is the most famous Hindu temple in Goa.

The temple is dedicated to Shantadurga, the goddess who mediates between Vishnu ji and Shiv ji. According to Puran, once there happened a huge battle between Shiva and Vishnu, and later the battle went so fierced that Bhrahma ji requested Parvati Maa to intervene in form of Shantadurga. She placed Shiv ji on her left and Vishnu ji on her right to end the battle and settle the terms.

The same is with the idol, the idol of goddess of Shantadurga is seen holding two serpents, one in each hand, believed to be representing Vishnu ji and Shiv ji. In the Garbhagriba there is a sitting white marble idol of Shantadurga Devi with four hands flanked by two small idols of Vishnu ji and Shiv ji as peacemaker.

It is believed that the original idol was stolen by Pathana during 1898 and the new idol sculpted by Laxman Krishna ji Gaitonde was installed on 19th Day of March, 1902.

Besides the worship of Shantadurga the temple also has shrines dedicated to Narayan, Ganesha, and Goddess Bata Vir Bhagavati. 

The unique feature is that harijans are allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriba) of this temple.

 

Festivals celebrated

During puja elaborative and big rangolis are made inside the temple. The huge ratha or Palki of Black and golden color is used during the processions the month of Pausha Suddha Navami and during the 5 Mahapanchmi.

The idol of goddess is taken out during procession in the Golden Palki during the festivals.

The official website also offers the Live Darshan of the Puja at the temple. 

 

Timings

One can visit this temple for the whole year.

The general timing of the temple is 

Morning Opening Timing	Evening Closing Timing
6:00 AM	10:00 PM

 

Contact details

One can contact,

The temple website 

https://shreeshantadurga.com/

Email – office@shreeshantadurga.com

Phone number – 8322312557, 8322319900

 

Or can directly reach at,

Address,

Shree Shantadurga Saunsthan, Kevale, Ponda.

Goa, 403401.

Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.

Goa – 403001

Contact- 8322420779, 2427972, 2436666.

How to reach the temple?

The temple is located 30kms from Panjim, Ponda in North Goa.

By Air – The nearest airport is at Dabolim, which is 45 kms from the temple.

By Railway-Two nearby railway station are Vasco da Gama and Margo.

By Road – One can take road to Panjai-Margo Highway to reach the temple.

 

In the front of the temple, free parking is available for Devotees near the main road. There are various options available for accommodation near the temple, in Kevlem, Ponda and Margo. Both in mid-range and luxury budget. Mostly Luxury hotels can be fount at Colva and Benaulim beach.