Sri
Saptakoteeswara Temple, Goa
As one tries to return to Panaji from Harvalem, one can visit the
famous temple of Sri Saptakoteshwar Naroa, Bicholim. Sri
Saptakoteshwara was the patron deity of the Kadambas who had built
a beautiful temple dedicated to this deity at the Diwar Island.
The invading foreign rulers destroyed the temple and built a
chapel dedicated to Candelaria in 1641 AD. The image of Sri
Saptakoteshwara was shifted to Naroa by the devotees then. It was
Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who ordered renovation of the temple in
1668.
Despite their external grandeur and magnificence being tested by
the vagaries of time; their spiritual effulgence is still
illumining the paths of the earnest seekers. The Shiva temples
built at Tambdisurla and Naven-Bicholim are testifying to the
rulers' devotional zeal and their care for public zeal.
Sri
Ananta Temple, Goa
This is one of the famous temples situated in Ponda Taluka at Sovoi
Verem a few km from Marcela. This is the only temple of Ananata in
Goa. It is surrounded on all sides by water and beautiful scenery.
Besides the main deity Anant Sheshashayi, the complex also has
Shantadurga, Kamini, Narayan and Grampurush temples.
The idol of Ananta is carved in black stone. Though the structure of
the temple is small it is quite inviting. The pillar decoration is
very minute and full of intricate designs. The brass stand on the
lamp the special illumination stands or "Deepmala" are sacred
objects of worship.
Sri
Bhagavati And Sri Sapteshwar Temples
Not far
from Morjim are two temples namely, Bhagavati and Parshem and
Sapteshwar Bhagamati at Mandrem in Pernem Taluka.
The principal festival observed are the 7 days "Bhajanisaptah" at
Mandrem, which is celebrated in Kartika. The Zatra, Dussehra and "Shimgo"
are other festivals, which are attended by large crowds. Surrounding
the main temples can be seen some exquisitely sculptured ancillary
deities.
Sri
Chandreshwar Temple
On way
back from Zambaulim one can take a slight diversion at Paroda to
proceed to the Chandranath hill and climb the huge granite steps to
reach to the temple of Sri Chandreshwar.The South Goa Bhojas
worshipped the deity years before the Christian era till the middle
of the 8th century AD.
The temple has the famous Shiva Linga, which was supposed to ooze
water with the touch of moonlight.
The temple atop the hill has been designed in such a way, that
moonlight directly falls on the Shiva Linga on the full moon night.
One can have a birds' eye view of a long ending green valley of
Salcete and Quepem Taluka from the Chandranath hill.
