The most famous temples in Goa that you must visit

Many tourists from India and abroad prefer the name Goa. Beautiful beaches, beautiful surroundings and churches are synonymous with this place. Not many people know that Goa is home to some of the most beautiful temples in India, famous for their architecture, history and art. Sansthan is the name of a temple in Goa. These temples were centers of cultural and social activities before the Portuguese took over the state. These temples were managed by Mahajan. After the invasion, most of these temples were destroyed by the Portuguese and the icons of the main deities were moved to safer places. Mahadev Tambdi Sula is the only temple that has survived all these tests since ancient times. This article focuses on the most important temples in Goa that every Hindu should include in their travel itinerary.

Important Temples in Goa:

1. Sri Saptakoteswara Temple:

At a distance of 35 km from Panji is Sri Saptakoteswara Temple in Norway. It is one of the six Shiva temples in the Konkan region. Saptakoteshwara is the main deity. He is a form of Lord Shiva. There are also other deities such as the temple of Kalabhairava or the Dattatraya padukas carved on the rock.

2. Maruti Temple:

The Maruti Temple is located in Panaji, New Goa on Altinho hill overlooking the Fontainehas area. This temple is dedicated to the monkey god Hanuman. It also enshrines the presiding deity Hanuman. The Maruti Temple is located at Fontainehaus in Phoenix Spring. Three tanks are kept in the spring. The temple is visible from far away as it is illuminated at night.

3. Sri Mahalakshmi Temple:

Goddess of Wealth, Mahalakshmi, Sri Mahalakshmi Temple at Bandiwade, 22 km from Panaji. It was built in 1413. The temple has two idols of Mahalakshmi, as well as idols of Sri Ravinath and Sri Baleshwar and Sri Narayan Purush and idols of two devotees, Safto and Phato. The main idol is carried on a chariot during the Maha Shivratri festival, while the second idol is transported on a palanquin during Ram Navami.

4. Bhagwati Temples:

Goa state has many Bhagwati temples including Pernem, Khandala and Marcela. The main deity of this temple is worshiped by Gaud Saraswat Brahmins, Daivajna Brahmins and Bhandari Sanghas in the form of Mahishasura Mardini (Shakti form). Bhagwati, one of the panchayat deities, is worshiped in many Goan temples.

5. Parasurama Temple:

A temple of Lord Parashuram can be found at Paingunim in Canakona area of Goa. It is dedicated to Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple is surrounded by a pristine forest area. There is also an idol of 'Kshetrapala' in the temple premises. The temple features traditional carved wooden pillars, as well as a traditional pyramid-shaped shikara.

6. Ramanathi Temple:

Ramnath Temple can be found at Ramnath, Bandiwade, Goa. This temple is a Saraswat Brahmin temple. It is a part of Panchayasthan, which means there are 5 deities in this temple. These deities are Sri Ramanath, Kamakshi and Lakshmi Narayan as well as Ganapati, Bethal, Kalabhairava, Syantheri, Kamakshi and Ganapati. Other family purchases are also in the temple.

7. Sri Shantadurga Temple:

Near Panaji, at the foothills of Kavalem village in Ponda taluka, there is a large Sri Shanta temple complex. The place was originally built as a shrine in 1738 out of laterite mud. Later it was converted into a beautiful temple for Hinduism in 1966. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Shanta Durga who meditates between Shiva & Vishnu. The temple combines the Indo-Portuguese style of architecture.

8. Sri Bethal Temple:

Sri Bethal temple can be found in Amona village of Bicholim taluk. Sri Bethal is worshiped as warrior Shiva, who is also the presiding deity of the temple. It also includes Shiva Pindi and his foot soldiers. The patron deity of this temple is Gaud Saraswat Brahmin community, which is scattered all over India.

9. Mahadev Temple Goa :

Mahadev Temple, Tambdi Surla, is one of the oldest temples in South Goa. It is a 12th century Shaivite temple dedicated to Mahadeva (another name for Shiva). It is still used as a place of worship for Hindus. The temple has a Shiva lingam and has antarala, sanctum sanctorum and Nandi mandapa pillar. It also has idols of Vishnu, Lord Brahma and their consorts. There is also a headless bull of Nandi in the center of the temple. This temple is famous place for Maha Shiva night. This temple is the most famous in Goa.

10. Mangeshi Temple Goa:

Mangeshi Temple is one of the most famous and visited temples in Goa. It is 21 km from Panaji (Capital of Goa). Before visiting the temple, you must follow the dress code rules. It is dedicated to Mangush or Shiva temple. The original site of this temple is Courtalim village. It was shifted to this place in 1890 during Maratha rule. It is home to many pujas that are performed daily.

11. Kamakshi Temple Goa:

This temple is the sacred abode of Goddess Kamakshi, a form of Goddess Parvati. This amazing structure is found in Shiroda. The original temple is in Raya. It was destroyed by the Portuguese invaders. In this temple there is a fierce form of Goddess Mahishasura Mardini. The roof of the temple resembles a Buddhist pagoda, with hooded snakes protruding from the corners. This is another famous temple in Goa.

12. Mahalasa Narayani Temple Goa:

Mahalasa Narayani Temple in Mardol is the abode of Mahalasa Devi. Mahalasa, the female incarnation of Vishnu takes the form of Mohini. Each hand holds a sword, a head, a trident and a bowl. A special feature of this temple is the sacred thread she wears around her waist. It is usually only for males. The Portuguese destroyed the original temple in 1567. It was rebuilt in the 17th century.

13. Balaji Temple Goa:

Dedicated to Lord Balaji, this temple is located in Kunkolim village of Ponda. Swami Jagadguru Shankaracharya blessed this temple and became a part of Kanchikamakoti Peetha. TTD Trust of Tirupati handed over idols of Balaji, Padmavati and Balaji. Balaji Temple is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in Goa. Devotees visit this temple for peace and tranquility.

14. Jain temple in Goa:

This temple is known as Sri 1008. Adinath Digambar Jain Temple is the only Jain temple in Goa. The construction of the temple took 15 months and is located in Margao. It has the avatar of Digambar Adinath Digambar in white stone. This temple is very popular with Jains and should be on every Jain's bucket list.There is harmony and calm in a Jain temple. There is calm and harmony in this temple.

15. Goa's Nagesh Temple:

Lord Shiva's hallowed residence is the Nagesh Temple, sometimes referred to as Nagesh. Because this is the precise location where it was built, this temple is unique. It did not move. Due to their attire and conduct, international visitors are no longer permitted to enter the temple, according to temple administrators. A 1413 AD stone inscription can also be found at the temple.

16. Goa's Brahma Temple:

One of the most distinctive places to worship Lord Brahma is the Brahma Temple. It was relocated to its current site in the sixteenth century from its original location in Carambolim. The neighborhood is called Brahma-karmali, which is also the name of Brahma's residence. The figure was made in the eleventh century out of blackstone. The central face of the Brahma statue is bearded. Saraswati and Savitri are represented by figurines on either side of the idol.

Before the Portuguese arrived in the area pretending to be traders, Goa was home to a large number of Hindu temples. They converted many Hindus to Christianity and destroyed all Hindu temples as a result of their hatred for other religions. It is difficult for people to imagine that Goa possesses such exquisite temples. Since its founding, the state has been closely associated with Christian culture. These temples bear witness to the numerous attempts made to drive out India's rich Hindu culture.