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General Information About Goa : Temples
Goa, Gem of India, is arrayed with temples and churches that are the silent spectators to the intense religious history and culture of the bygone era. Hence a pilgrimage to Goa is a unique experience. Indeed, Goa could be cherished for this meager trait that one enjoys even on the shortest visit to this diverse land. Most of the Hindu temples of interest are close to Ponda, on the inland route between Panaji and Margao.
   
Shri Manguesh Temple  
Shri Manguesh temple at Mangueshi in Ponda Taluka, the most prominent among temples, is situated along the National Highway-4A about 23-km from Panaji. This temple is famous for its pristine glory, which attracts thousands of visitors every year and is gifted by the Welcome Gate, an elegant lamp tower, a "Noubatkhana" overlooking the temple tank and the "Agrashalas" on three sides.

Shri Mahalasa Temple
Hardly one kilometre away from Mangueshi is the village Mardol where nestles the temple of Sri Mahalasa. While it is commonly understood that Mahalasa is a form of "Shakti", "Madalasa" or "Narayani", the deity is also being worshipped as the manifestation of Lord Vishnu as "Mohini".
A huge 'Dipa Stambha' made of five metals greets the visitors at the entrance of the temple, which was built in the 17th century. It has exquisite wooden carvings of ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Huge round pillars held the 'Sabhamandapa' at the entrance, which is being reconstructed to recapture the glorious past of the original temple situated at Verna in "Salcete Taluka".

 
Shri Naguesh Temple
The Naguesh temple with old scriptures on stone at Nagueshim, the Mahalakshmi at Nagueshim Bandora, the Ramnath temples at Ramnathi and Shantadurgta temple at Kavalem. The Ganesh temple has been bequeathed to posterity but the temple was subsequently renovated in the days of Chatrapati Shahu, the Maratha ruler of Satara.
The galleries of the Sabhamantapa contain exquisite specimen of intricate woodcarvings of famous episodes from Ramayana on one side and wooden images of "Astadikpal" and "Gandharva".

 
Ramnathi Temple
Situated close to the temple of Naugesh is the temple of Ramnathi. The deity is incarnation of Lord Shiva and is equally revered by both Shaivites and Vaishnavites.

Lord Ramnath is the form of Shiva worshipped by Lord Rama before embarking on the Sri Lanka campaign to free Goddess Sita from the clutches of Ravana. It is famous for its serene atmosphere. The temple was built around 1566 AD and was renovated in 1905. The "Sabhamantapa", however, is a recent addition.

 
Shri Shantadurga Temple
Situated at the foothill of Kavalem, the Shantadurga temple boasts of a huge tank, a Dipa Stambha and Agrashalas. The temple was built in 1728 AD during the reign of Shahu Maharaj of Satara at the request of one of his ministers, Naro Ram Mantri.

The original site of Sri Shantadurga temple is Kardelivana of Quelossim in Mormugao Taluka, where the great bard Krishnadas Shama penned the epic "Sri Krishna Charita" probably in the 14th century on the lines of Dnyaneshwari.

 

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