List of Names & Information on Famous Hindu Temples in Goa

Here you can find list of names and information (like history, facts & architecture) on ancient / old Hindu temples in Goa, India. These famous temples in Goa are most visited and most sought after best tourist places. You can also find photos of Goa temples / mandir.

As per Hindu belief, Goddess Bhagwati is just another name given to Goddess Durga, who is also referred to as Parvati, Kali and many others. She is considered as the Goddess of Victory of Good over evil and kills all demons in the form of Mahishasuramardini. She is merciless against the evil demons who tried to take over earth and fill it with bad deeds. Hindu mythology tells us that Bhagwati appeared in different forms and destroyed and beheaded evil and powerful demons and sent them to the netherworld or the Patal lokh.

On Chaturdashi or pre-New Moon Day a procession of Shri Rayeshwar is carried out in the temple complex. During Amavasya or the new moon day a procession of idol of Shri Kamakshi and Shree Laxmi Narayan is taken around the temple in the presence of thousands of devotees. An important festival celebrated every year is Dusshera or Navaratri. During Dusshera, Divja or clay lamp procession is carried out where a large number of married women go around the temple complex with clay lamps.

According to the Hindu mythology the present day Mangesh Linga was have made to a sacred idol on Mangireesh mountain on the bank of Bhagirathi river by Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma is placed as the Supreme Being and the creator of the universe and all living beings. He is the most powerful and is one among the tridevas along with Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. After the sacred ritual the Mangesh Linga was shifted to Trihotrapuri in Bihar by the Saraswat Brahmins.

The Ramnathi temple is about 450 years holding standing with its historical glory. According to Hindu legend the idol of the Ramnathi temple was installed by Lord Rama himself 3000 years ago in Rameshwar. After Lord Rama killed the Brahmin demon Ravana and returned from Lanka he prayed to Lord Shiva to forgive him for killing a Brahmin. He then installed a Shiva Linga and is called as Ramnath at present. So historically Lord Rama himself established the Ramnathi Temple.

The Shantadurga temple is located in the Northern side of Goa and is one of the largest Hindu temples in the territory. The precise location of the Shantadurga temple is the foothill of Kavlem village in Ponda area of Goa. The temple is beautifies with lush green natural beauty giving the complex a serene and peaceful environment. This temple is dedicated to Shantadurga who manifests between Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva in order to maintain peace between the two avatars. Locally the Goddess is called as Santeri.

The Shri Saptakoteshwar Temple is located in Narve in the Indian territory of Goa. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Shiva who is believed to be the Supreme Being. Narve is a village situated about 35 kilometres from the Panaji, the capital of Goa. It can be reached by means of a ferryboat only. Among the numerous Shiva temple located in Goa the Saptakoteshwar Temple stands as one of the sixth great temples.