| The Shantadurga Temple
is situated at a distance of approximately 33 kilometers from Panjim city
at Kavlem, in Ponda Taluka, Goa. It is dedicated to Shantadurga the Goddess
of peace who mediated to stop the quarrel between the two great gods,
Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.
The temple that can be seen standing today was built
between 1713 and 1738 during the reign of Satara king, Shahu, the grandson
of Shivaji. Since then, the temple has been totally remodelled in more
recent times, as is obvious from the bold Neo - Classical wall pilasters
and the rounded concrete hoods of the windows.
Also known as the Santeri temple, it is most revered
by the Hindu community of Gaur Saraswat Brahmin (GSB). It is also the
home of the Kaivalya Math. Situated in a delightful setting on the edge
of lush paddy fields, the temple is comparatively vertical in proportions.
At the entrance, one can see a large number of flower vendors selling
hibiscus, white tuberosesm frangipani, marigold and conch shells. A steep
entrance stairs, shaded by a spreading peepal tree leads to to Shri Shantadurga's
courtyard. The courtyard is enclosed by office and blocks of modern pilgrim's
hostels. Before the entrance courtyard a large water tank can be seen
on the left side. On the left side of the courtyard is dominated by a
octagonal six storeyed white Deepa Stambh. On festival days, the tower
is decorated with hundreds of oil lamps. Behind this, is the temple office.
The main temple is at the center.
The temple exhibits a fusion of Indo-Portuguese architecture
with brick red and cream-colour. The entrance hall is decorated wood doors
coated with silver. The interior is enriched by sparkling glass chandeliers
and embossed silver screens containing guardian figures. Both the hall
and porches have steeply pyramidal tiled roofs. The pillars and floorings
of the temple are made of Kashmir stone.
In the Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), there is a sitting
white marble idol of Shree Shantadurga with four hands flanked by two
small six-inch idols of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu reminding her origins
as the peace maker. The original idol was stolen by Pathans in 1898 and
the new idol was sculpted by Laxman Krishnaji Gaitonde on March 19, 1902.
It remains there to date. Previously, it was installed at Keloshi and
from there, it was shifted to Kavlem during the rule of portuguese government.
The other interesting attraction is a huge ratha's (chariot) of the goddess
in black and gold that used during the processions in the month of Pausha
Shuddha Navami draws thousands of devotees from all over the Goa.
The unique feature of this temple is that harijans are
allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum of this temple.
|
Pilgrim Centers 
