Holding an architectural beauty of the Mughal era, this temple in Goa captivates everyone’s heart through its magnificent craftsmanship. The most important festival celebrated here is the Gokulashtami in which devotees from all around the world visit this place.
- Location– Narve, Bicholim, South Goa
This is the myth common about Goa that day to day life of Goan people is dominated by Christianity but we are assured that after going through the information given here most of the people will be able to get the most perfect image of human ocean of this tiny Indian state Goa, which is popularly known as beach capital of India.
Historic Back Drop and Hinduism in Goa
History of Goa is indicative that even before the Portuguese succeeded in capturing this coastal land many non Hindu dynasties have ruled the land. During the 400 years of Portuguese rule, there was very high emphasis on the expansion of Christianity and for the purpose not only many churches were constructed in Goa but also many Hindu worship sites and ancient temples were either destroyed and demolished or converted into churches and other religious places associated with the Christianity.
This was amazing finding for the Portuguese that all their efforts were not resulting into desired achievements, just because Vedic cultural heritage and Hinduism was very strongly rooted with the natives. Even today, Christian population of Goa is under 40% of total population of Goa.
If we look at the location of ancient Hindu temples, we can note a significant feature that most of temples are situated in Ponda and other north Goa regions towards the state boundaries with Maharashtra. A very few Hindu temples are found in south Goa, which was considered as the strong hold of Portuguese.
Signatory Architectural features of Hindu Temples in Goa
This is a notable thing about architecture of the Hindu temples of Goa that most of Goan temples are a bit different from the traditional Indian design and temple architecture. Lamp tower or the Deep Stambha is significant feature of temples of Goa, this is said that this influence of Maratha Kingdom of Kolhapur and Maharashtra.
In the Goan Hindu temples Mogul architectural influence is visible in the form of Dome covering the Garbha Grah [House of Deity] instead of traditional pyramidal shaped Shikara. Curvilinear roofs of the Mandapa [Hall] are indicative of Portuguese or Christian influence.
Temple Tourism in Goa
This might be surprise finding for many that on the Goa tourism you can go for vacation dedicated to temple tour. There are more than 50 Hindu temple worth to visit around the cities like Panjim, Mapusa, Bicholim, Pernem, Ponda, Margao and Vasco.
Goddess Shantadurga is the prime worshiped and deity of Goa. Ganesh Festival is as big celebration of Goa, as the Christmas and Goa Carnival are. Many of the Hindu temples of Goa have signatory celebration associated with temple and known as the Zatra [Jatra], Shantadurga Zatra held annually in December / January is one of the most popular and widely celebrated temple festival of Goa.
