Shri Shantadurga Temple, Goa

Introduction to the Shantadurga Temple

Shantadurga Temple is at the foothill of Kavlem village, Ponda Taluk, Goa. This vast temple has cultural and historical importance.

Legend of the Shantadurga Temple

According to Hindu mythology, Shiva and Vishnu once had a big war that destroyed all three worlds. Brahma tried to stop it, but he could not. He finally asked Adimaya Durga to talk to Shiva and Vishnu about their sufferings. Accepting his request, she came down to earth in her Shantadurga form and held both deities in her hands to end the war peacefully. So, in the Shantadurga Temple, the idol of Shantadurga holds a snake in each hand to represent Shiva and Vishnu.

The History of Shantadurga Temple

The Shantadurga Temple was initially at Cavelossim. However, the Portuguese rulers destroyed it in 1564. So, the deity was shifted to Kavlem. The idol of the deity was installed in a small laterite mud shrine. Its foundation was laid in 1730 during the reign of the Maratha King Chhatrapati Shahu Raje of Satara. The small shrine was transformed into a beautiful temple in 1738 and renovated in 1966.

The Architecture of the Shantadurga Temple

The Shantadurga Temple features Indo-Portuguese architecture.
Unlike other temples of Goa, Shantadurga Temple has a pyramidal Shikara, Roman-arched windows, and a flat dome encircled by fences. The temple’s peach, maroon, and white color paint gives a serene and beautiful look.

The main entrance hall of the Shantadurga Temple has decorated wood doors coated with silver. Devotees can see the impressive art of Hanuman, along with Garuda and the mount of Vishnu, in the entrance hall.

A major attraction is the Nayanmanohar, a six-layered Deepa Sthambam. It is lit during the festival times. Nagarkhana is another attraction of the Shantadurga Temple, which the temple musicians use for their recitals.

The tiny silver sanctum houses Shantadurga, the presiding deity of the temple. She mediates and ends the war between Shiva and Vishnu. 'Santeri' is her colloquial name. In the sanctum of the Shantadurga Temple, on either side of the beautiful idol of Shantadurga with four hands, there are small six-inch idols of Shiva on the left and Vishnu on the right. She holds two serpents, one in each hand, representing Shiva and Vishnu. A six-inch Shiva linga is carved from a black stone near Shantadurga in the sanctum.

Silver-coated doors lead to a beautifully designed Mandap. It has four big pillars on each side. The ceilings are decorated with chandeliers and temple bells. There is an exclusive three-part silver screen in front of the sanctum. Priests conduct traditional Hindu marriage rituals and other ceremonies in this Mandap. There is a canteen inside the temple that serves only vegetarian meals.

The Shantadurga Temple underwent renovations and expansions over the years to the main temple and to the shrines of other deities besides Agarshala, which is built on three sides of the temple. The temple’s holy pond and Agarshalas are opposite the Nayanmanohar Deepa Stambha.

Festivals in the Shantadurga Temple

The "Zatra" or parade is an annual festival in the Shantadurga Temple. The temple conducts it between December and January. Lakhs of devotees flock here to participate in the parade. The idol of Shantadurga is placed in the golden palanquin and taken out for a parade. Lalkhi Utsav, Tulsi Vivah, Muktabharani Utsav, Kala Utsav, Ram Navami, Mahashivratri Utsav, Navratri, and Dussehra are other important festivals held at the Shantadurga Temple.

Offering a banana and a coconut after entering the temple is a tradition. A ritualistic Pooja is performed at night, which accompanies an extended meditation.