Temples in Goa

Goa temples come as a surprise to the tourists because temples are not usually associated with Goa. But travel to Goa and witness the beautiful Goan temples which have a tale of their own to tell.

The Goan temples have undergone through a rough period especially after the Portuguese established their rule here. Goan temples were destroyed and in their place were built unique Portuguese erections. But some of these temples managed to survive the invasion and they have been preserved and taken care of till today.

TRAVEL TO GOA SARASWAT TEMPLES

The Saraswat Hindu Temples in Goa are some of the temples that had survived the Portugal regime. Uprooted from place to place, the presiding deities of these temples in India's Goa were preserved and worshipped, at times, even in the houses of the pujaris, till they were ultimately ensconced in their present day abodes. Some such old temples of Goa 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 of Goa you are welcomed by the sentinels-the great pillars of light.

Among the oldest Saraswat Temples in Goa are the Mangeshi temple of Priol, the Shanta Durga Temple at Kavele, the Ganapati temple at Khandole, the Maha Laxmi temple at Bandewade and the Sri Nagesh Maharudra Temple at Bandora. Of these, unlike all other ancient deities of Goa, the Sri Nagesh Maharudra did not move from Bandora (Bandiwade) even during the period of the Portuguese inquisition.

Atrunja Taluka in Goa is now called 'Ponda'. It is a land of valleys and mountains. An ideal abode for the Gods amidst coconut and arecanut groves, Phonda is full of Hindu temples, the Sri Ganapati temple at Khandole village being one of the most prominent and oldest of them here.

A unique feature of the Goa Saraswat temples is the priority given there to the local Christian devotees who flock to these temples. Irrespective of having embraced Christianity, many of the present day Christians still hold on to their pre-conversion surnames and still sponsor and support the deities of their Hindu brethren. It is a measure of how deep their roots run, despite all the Portuguese influence that had been thrust upon them.