Located in the beautiful state of Goa, the Shantadurga Temple is a major pilgrimage spot for devotees of Hinduism. Built-in 1715, it is one of the most celebrated temples in India and has many legends associated with it. Named after Goddess Shree Shantadurga Devi, who is known to be the mediator between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, this Temple draws crowds from all across the country.
| Temple Name | Shri Shantadurga Temple |
| Temple is also known as | Goa Deoolbhata Temple |
| Temple Dedicated to | Goddess Durga |
| Temple Timing | 5:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM to 8:30 PM |
| Aarti | |
| Darshan Fee | Free Entry |
| VIP Entry | Not available |
| Live Darshan | Not available |
| Important Festivals | Lalkhi Utsav, Muktabharani Utsav, Tulsi Vivah, and Kala Utsav, Navratri |
| Address | Kapileswari – Kavlem Rd, Donshiwado, Ponda, Goa 403401 |
| Official Website | shreeshantadurga.com |
| Contact Number | +91-832 2312557 , +91-832 2319900 |
| Official Email ID | office@shreeshantadurga.com |
About Goa Shantadurga Temple
The Shree Shantadurga temple is a popular place to visit. It is at the foothills of Kavlem village in the Ponda district of Goa. The Temple is for the goddess of peace, Shree Shantadurga. In Sanskrit, the word for peace is Shanta. Hindu mythology says that the goddess got her name after she helped Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu get along again after a fight. In Goa, Durga is shown more calmly and peacefully than usual.
Legend has it that the fight got worse and got so bad that it threatened to destroy the whole universe. Lord Brahma asked Goddess Parvati to help because he feared being wiped out. The goddess took the form of Shantadurga, held Shiva in her left hand and Vishnu in her right, and made them both happy. Shiva and Vishnu are shown on either side of the idol of the goddess. In each hand, the goddess holds a snake for Shiva and Vishnu.
| Other Famous Temples of Goa | Other Famous Temples of Ambe Maa |
| Gabbar Ambaji Mata Mandir, Gujarat | |
| Hasanamba Temple, Hassan, Karnataka |
Temple History
In 1566, the Portuguese destroyed the first Temple in Salcete at Quelossim (Keloshi). The goddess moved to Kavalem, where she was still worshipped. The Shree Shantadurga Saunsthan Committee, Kavale, owns “Deoolbhata,” where the original Shantadurga Temple was built at Quelossim (Keloshi).
The current Temple was built between 1713 and 1738 AD when Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj of Satara ruled the Maratha Empire. Naroram Mantri (Rege) was a Mantri (Minister) in Chattrapati Shahu Maharaj’s (Grandson of Chh. Shivaji Maharaj & Son of Dharmaveer Chh. Sambhaji Maharaj)Ashtapradhan Mandal at Satara. Because of his work, Shrimant Baji Rao I Peshwa gave the village of Kavalem to the Temple in 1738. In the 1730s, work began to rebuild the Temple.
The temple complex is in the foothills of a mountain range on a slope. Lots of green plants surround it. On three sides of the main Temple, three smaller temples for other gods have been built. The roof of the Temple is made up of three pyramids that are joined by a dome.
The floors and walls are made of stone from Kashmir. At the Temple, there is a big tank, a Deep Jyoti Stambh, and agrashalas (guest houses). Over the years, many changes have been made to the main Temple, the temples of the other gods, and the agrashala. Foreigners are no longer allowed to enter the Temple because their clothes and behavior are unacceptable.
Legends of Goa Shantadurga Temple
Hindu mythology says that Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu once fought a big war that destroyed all three worlds. Lord Brahma tried to stop the war, but he couldn’t. He finally had an idea and asked Lady Parvati to talk to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu about the problem. In response to the plea, Lady Parvati came down to earth in one of her Shanta Durga forms and held both lords in her hands to end the war peacefully. So, in the Shri Shanta Durga temple, the idol of goddess Shanta Durga holds a snake in each hand to represent Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
Temple Architecture
The Saraswat architectural style was used to build this Temple. Its roman-arched windows, some of which have stained-glass window panes of deep red, yellow, blue, and green colours, chandeliers, gate posts, balustraded flat dome, and maroon-peach-white colour paint give the Temple a peaceful and beautiful look.
The Temple’s highlight is the golden palkhi, which is used to carry the deity on special occasions (only 5 Maha Panchami). One of the most important temple complexes in Goa is Shri Shantadurga Temple. It is a shrine to the goddess Durga, one of the gods that the Gaud Saraswat Brahmins worship. Around the year 1715, the Temple was built. After the Portuguese took control of the country, it was moved from Keloshi. The beautiful Indo-Portuguese style of the Temple and the amazing idol of the deity make it a popular place for tourists to visit.
Significance of the Temple
Legends say that the Destroyer and the Keeper fought a huge battle on Mount Gomanchala. Lord Shiva used the Pashupati weapon during this fight, which could have been bad for the whole universe. Lord Brahma, who made everything, asked the most powerful goddess, Adishakti, to help. She then sent Parvati in the form of Shanta Durga or Shanteri.
Shantadurga stepped in as a mediator and brought the two sides together. This prevented the universe from being destroyed forever. So, she stands in the temple shrine between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu (the Keeper of the Universe) as a symbol of peace. She took Lord Vishnu in her right hand and Lord Shiva in her left hand, making them both happy.
Important Festival
The “Yatra” parade is an annual festival in December. Thousands of devotees come together at the Temple for this event. The idol is put in the golden palanquin during the festival and taken out for a parade. Lalkhi Utsav, Muktabharani Utsav, Tulsi Vivah, and Kala Utsav are some important festivals held at the Temple.
Darshan Time
Shantadurga temple The time for devotees to enter the Temple in Goa is very convenient. The Temple is open from 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or from 1:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and it’s free to get in.
Darsan Dresscode
Don’t wear shorts, skirts, tank tops, or other short clothes when you go to Shanta Durga Temple.
Local Culture
Goa has a long history of getting along with people of all religions. The second most common religion in Goa is Christianity. Goa is known for its seafood, culture, tourism, and modern society. New Year and Goan Carnival are a few events with global appeal.
How to Reach Shantadurga Temple
The Shantadurga temple is in Ponda Taluka, on the main road between Panji and Margao. It is only 33 kilometers from Panaji. Many roads connect Ponda to all of Goa’s major cities. You can take a taxi or motorbike from Panaji to get to this Temple.
By Air: The nearest airport is 45 km away in Dabolim. Regular flights from Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Kochi and chartered flights from other countries can also be arranged.
By Rail: Several trains from the rest of the country arrive at Goa’s two train stations, Vasco da Gama and Margao.