Sri Ramnathi Temple at Kavalem and the Sri Shantadurga,
a shrine to Durga worshipped unusually in a peaceful avatar.
Do not forget to visit the sole surviving example of the
Kadamba architecture at Tamdi Surla known as the Mahadeva
Temple.
Sri Mangueshi Temple
Sri Manguesh temple at Mangueshi in Ponda Taluka, the most
prominent among temples, is situated along the National
Highway-4A about 23-km from Panaji. This temple is famous
for its pristine glory, which attracts thousands of visitors
every year and is gifted by the Welcome Gate, an elegant
lamp tower, a "Noubatkhana" overlooking the temple
tank and the "Agrashalas" on three sides.
A golden "Shesha" besides the Linga and an image
of Shiva constitute the main altar. Lore has it that Parvati,
the heavenly consort of Lord Shiva came to Goa in search
of her spouse who had disappeared from Kailasa following
an altercation between them. The Lord tried to frighten
her by appearing in the form of a tiger. Parvati beseeched
Shiva to protect her in these terms. Trahi Mam Girisha (protect
me the Lord of mountains). "Mam Girisha" subsequently
became "Mangirisha" or "Manguesh".
Sri Naguesh Temple
The Naguesh temple with old scriptures on stone at Nagueshim,
the Mahalakshmi at Nagueshim Bandora, the Ramnath temples
at Ramnathi and Shantadurgta temple at Kavalem. The Ganesh
temple has been bequeathed to posterity but the temple was
subsequently renovated in the days of Chatrapati Shahu,
the Maratha ruler of Satara.
The galleries of the Sabhamantapa contain exquisite specimen
of intricate woodcarvings of famous episodes from Ramayana
on one side and wooden images of "Astadikpal"
and "Gandharva".
Sri Mahalasa
Hardly one kilometre away from Mangueshi is the village
Mardol where nestles the temple of Sri Mahalasa. While it
is commonly understood that Mahalasa is a form of "Shakti",
"Madalasa" or "Narayani", the deity
is also being worshipped as the manifestation of Lord Vishnu
as "Mohini".
A huge 'Dipa Stambha' made of five metals greets the visitors
at the entrance of the temple, which was built in the 17th
century. It has exquisite wooden carvings of ten incarnations
of Lord Vishnu. Huge round pillars held the 'Sabhamandapa'
at the entrance, which is being reconstructed to recapture
the glorious past of the original temple situated at Verna
in "Salcete Taluka".
