Shri Shantadurga Lakshminarasimha Temple — Attraction in Goa

There are many churches in Goa, the beach state of India. But the number of Hindu temples in the state is also quite appreciable though these are not very popular. Still among these the Shri Shanta Durga temple is quite popular. The temple is the main sanctuary for the Gaud Saraswat Brahman sect. The Shri Shanta Durga temple is located in the Western Ghats foothill village of Kavalem in the Ponda Taluka district of Goa. Location wise it is situated near Panaji, the capital city of Goa. The Brahmins of the state visit this temple in great numbers to pay homage to their home deity. The legend behind this temple is quite interesting.

According to the Hindu mythology, once a great war took place between Lord Shiva & Lord Vishnu which ravaged the three world. Lord Brahma tried to stop the war but failed. Finally he came up with an idea and asked Lady Parvati to mediate the matter between Lord Shiva & Lord Vishnu. Replying to the plea, lady Parvati descended upon the earth in her Shanta Durga incarnates and placed the lords on her either hands to peacefully settle the war. Hence the deity of goddess Shanta Durga in the Shri ShantaDurga temple holds on serpent in each hand representing Lord Shiva & Lord Vishnu. The architecture of the Shri Shanta Durga temple is very mesmerizing. The towering shihkara of the white temple engraved with beautiful artistry and Portuguese touch is the epitome of Indo-Portuguese masonry. The main temple of the goddess Shanta Durga was at Quelossim. It was destroyed under the Portuguese invasion. However, it was reinstated in Kavalem by the Maratha King Chattrapati Shahu. The Shri Shanta Durga temple is a very divine Brahmin temple and visitors & devotees form all across the country come very all...

The temple is dedicated to Shantadurga, the goddess who mediates between Vishnu and Shiv. The deity is also called 'Santeri' colloquially. Purana talks of a battle between Shiva and Vishnu The battle was so fierce that the God Brahma prayed to Goddess Parvati to intervene, which she did in the form of Shantadurga. Shantadurga placed Vishnu on her right hand and Shiva on her left hand and settled the fight. Shantadurga is holding two serpents, one in each hand, representing Vishnu and Shiva. Some of local legends or beliefs often say that Shantadurga of Keloshi had gone to Sancoale a village in mormugao to kill a demon named Kalantak that was harassing the Brahmins. As a reward, she was given the name of Vijaya. The Vijaydurga shrine was located in Sancoale along with Shantadurga and Lakshmi Narsimha but was later shifted to a place called Kerim in Ponda Taluka during the...

This is an ancient temple of goddess and has a unique structure including garbh graha and main temple chamber, lots of wood work and u can see the Portuguese architecture in a decent peaceful place surrounded by other rooms in temple, the light towers adds the impression of the temple. open space and cool and peaceful environment brings happiness and mental peace.... must visit every one for blessings and memories for the life. u are also given prasad near temple which is very tasty and only lucky people enters into that time to get the prasad of...