Goan temple architecture comprised of building temples out of black stone and were basically built in Kadamba and Hemadpanti style. Only one such ancient Saraswat temple of Goa exist is that of Tambdi Surla Mahadev. The present day goan temples are a mixture of Nagari, Islamic and Portuguese architecture
Goa having a predominantly Hindu population has many temples. In days of yore, the temple used to be the centre of the village or city, and all the other social, cultural and economic gatherings.
Most of the original temples in Goa in populated areas, were demolished by the Portuguese Inquisition, and devotees migrated to other places with the idols. The original goan temple architecture comprised of building temples out of black stone and were basically built in Kadamba and Hemadpanti style. Only one such ancient Saraswat temple of Goa exists; that of Tambdi Surla Mahadev. The present day goan temples are a mixture of Nagari, Islamic and Portuguese architecture. This kind of architecture is unique in India.
List Of Temples In Goa
The ancient Chandreshwar Temple is situated on the road to Quepem, about 14 kms. from Margao. It is located on the Chandranath parvat, a heavily wooded hill about 350 mt high and is dedicated to an incarnation of Shiva, Chandranath.
The Kamakshi Temple is dedicated to
goddess Kamakhya, originally a deity from Guwahati, Assam. She is also known as Parvati and
Shantadurga, the goddess of peace. The main tower design bears stark resemblance to that of a Buddhist pagoda.
The Bodgeshwar temple is situated in Mapusa in fields just outside the city locally known as Bodgini. It has a shrine which is dedicated to Kanakeshwar Baba or Bodgeshwar who is regarded as
Angavani which refers to one to whom vows are made.
The temple of Goddess Lairai lies 2 kms. from Panaji-Valpoi Highway in the village of Shirigao and is famous all over Goa for the annual zatra. Every year devotees attend the zatra to witness the
dhond walk barefooted through the sacred fire.
The Rudreshwar temple is located at Harwalem, Bicholim next to the famous Harvalem waterfalls. The temple has been newly built on the site of an ancient one and is dedicated to
Lord Shiva aslo known as Rudreshwar.
The
Mahadev temple of Tambdi Surla is the oldest temple of Goa, that survived Portuguese rule as it was located in a dense jungle. According to folklore the temple has an unfinished look as the
Pandavas built it in a single night.
The Mahalsa temple lies in Mardol 9 kms. from Ponda and was shifted here from from Velha conquistas salcette, to avoid destruction during Portuguese rule. Mahalsa is the
Mohini form of
Lord Vishnu and hence she is referred to as
Mahalsa Narayani.
The Mangueshi temple, located at Priol is the most famous temple of Goa and was originally located at Kushasthali (Cortalim). Manguesh is an incarnation of lord Shiva and the
Shiva linga inside the sanctum is flanked by
dwarpalas (guards).
Taken from – http://www.goaholidayguide.com/temples/
