Temples of Goa

The temples in Goa like most Hindu temples around India are dedicated to a deity which is worshipped by the local devotees. The design of the Goa temples, however, is a different, as it has assimilated the influence of Muslim, Maratha and Christian architecture over the centuries.

A special feature of temples in Goa is the Lamp Tower or the Deepastambha rising anywhere from two to six stories high, in the temple courtyard. On festival days Goa Temples are decorated with oil lamps creating a spectacular effect. In most Temples in Goa, the inner sanctum housing the idol of the deity is decorated with silver and gold. Near the temple there is usually a huge water tank used for the holy rituals of the deity.

Each Goa Temple has its annual jatra (feast), when the idol of the local deity is carried in a huge wooden chariot around the temple, with crowd of devotees following in a procession. A small fair with stalls selling everything from jewellery to eatables is setup in the temple grounds in Goa.

Goa Temples are more modern as compared to ancient temples in an around India, mainly because they have rebuilt at new locations after the destruction during the days of Muslim and Portuguese invasions. Among the well-known temples in Goa are the ones dedicated to Shantadurga Temple, (Kavlem) Goa, Manguesh (Priol) Temple Goa, Mahalasa (Mardol), Chandreshwar Bhutnath Temple (Paroda) Goa, Damodar Temple(Zambaulim) Goa, Datta Temple (Sanquelim) Goa, Mallikarjun Temple,(Canacona) Goa, and Shantadurga Kunkolikarin Temple (Fatorpa) Goa.