Post-Portuguese Temples

Mangueshi Temple

ShriMangeshi temple is located at Mangeshim in Priol, Ponda taluk. This temple is one of the largest and most enchanting which can put you into an awe.  The 400-year-old ShriMangesh temple dedicated to Shiva stands out with its simple and yet exquisitely elegant structure. You can observe that the pillars in this temple's prahar are the most beautiful among the temples in Goa. 
A seven-storeyed deepstambha (lamp tower), stands at the gates in the temple complex. There are various domes over the entrance hall with a repeat of the octagonal type of dome. The entrance hall is linked with the tower over the sanctum by a steep tiled roof over the mandapa.   
An octagonal drum supports the dome of the tower which is extended for height purposes.  The dome in turn supports a cylindrical lantern with a gleaming Golden finial elegantly built and linked by balustrades appearing at each level. One of the striking feature which I personally liked is the design of a flattened globe or ‘amalaka’ symbolizing Fruit  and fertility is vertically grooved all round except the main dome. 

Shri Mahalaxmi Temple

This temple is situated in panjim . It is the first temple  constructed under the Portuguese rule and was completed in 1818. According to a legend the Brahmins from Karwar Kumtha who lived on begging alms used to worship goddess Mahalakshmi. They carried the idol of Mahalakshmi along with them whenever they went. Upon being informed about the conversion policy of Portuguese, they shifted the deity from Taleigo village to the palatial house, opposite the Adilshahi Palace in the heart of Panjim. After that the deity was moved to Mayem village of the Bicholim Taluka in 1817. They took the deity to Panaji and hid it in a particular place. Later on they sought permission from the liberal Portuguese governor of constructing a temple. The permission was granted on 2nd July 1818.

The deity of Mahalakshmi in the temple is made of black stone. Goddess Mahalaxmi is said to be having four arms each holding a sickle, a club, a dagger, and a vessel containing prasad and flowers. The deity is placed in the palki and taken around on special occasions. Even today, the original stone idol is placed at the centre of `Garbhagar` or the sanctum.The deity in the temple wears a Linga on her head which is considered peaceful or Satvik form of the goddess which is placed in a silver canopy.  The temple has a small arched entrance at one end with naubatkhana located upstairs and further to this is a village. Just after entering the temple, we find the prahar of Lord Ganesh. Walk further and to your left stands erect a lamp tower.   

The image beside shows a nine storied deepstambha or lamp tower.This deepstambha is lit up with diyas on festivals like diwali etc. The entrance of the main building is flanked by a domed octagonal temple tower with two rare domes. At the side of the door the are two guarding dieties .This temple has two shikharas. 
The border of the enterance is a wooden carved frame. There is a new hall designed for dance and musical activities. The hall entrance has two window on top. The main sanctum of the deity is further inside the hall. The prahar has a marble flooring which gives it a magnificent look.

Ramnath Temple 

Located in Ponda, This is the only temple in Goa without pillars in its worship hall.  The annual Zatra of Shri Ramnath is also noteworthy. History shows that this temple which is dedicated to Lord Ramnath was built by Gaud Saraswat Brahmins. But the original shrine was burnt down by the Portuguese captain Diogi Rodriguese. The idol was smuggled out and Consecrated at the present site at Ramnathi.  According to the tradition, the linga of the ramnath was brought from Rameshwaram. 

As soon as you enter the devasthan, you can see a doorway called Nagarkhana where musicians sit and play instruments during the zatra. The plan of Nagarkhana was drawn by retired Portuguese government architect   Shri Uppi Bubli Kamat. It contains marble indicating the date of inauguration. There is also a statue of Bharatmata holding the tri color which shows the Indo-Portuguese friendship at that time.

 

Moving onto the Sabhamandap which is the main hall that leads to the sanctum of the deity . This hall is very famous as it doesn’t have pillars like the other temples usually have.  An entrance of the Sabhamandap, there is an arrangement for putting up a stage performances.  It has arrangement  of two galleries on the top, for lady spectators, on each side, without supporting pillars.

The whole temple is made of marble brought from Jaipur, Rajasthan. It shares many features of Portuguese era domestic architecture. The interiors are beautifully painted with vibrant colours like blue and red which has intricate  designs that are worth admiring. 

Shri Shantadurga Devi temple

Located in Kavlem (ponda), this temple is one of the most famous temples dedicated to Shanta durga Devi. You may find ‘n’ number of temples around Goa dedicated to the same deity but they are not as great as this one in particular. It was built during 1713 AD to 1738 AD by the Maratha ruler Chatrapati Shahu Raje of Satara.The original shrine was Destroyed by Portuguese in 1564 AD. The idol of Devi was brought from Kaloshi to Kavlem after destruction and established in this site.

The temple is dedicated to shantadurga, the goddess who mediates between and Vishnu and Shiva to bring peace between the ultimate gods.  The deity is also called 'Santeri' colloquially. A linga which is present behind the devi’s idol is the original deity which had been shifted. All the offerings are done for  the idol whereas the ‘abishek’ is done both for the idol and the linga. In addition to the main idol in the sanctum , there are 3 other utsavmurtis which are used for rituals and ceremonies outside the garbagriha .  The deities other than the main goddess shantadurge devi are bhagwati devi, lord shri lakshminarayan and the local gods rampurush and grampurush whose shrines are located around the main shrine building,

The temple consists of a collection of pyramidal roofs with an interesting dome.  The roofs are made up of red country tiles. The windows are roman-arched with coloured glass. The inner surface of the pyramidal structure of the entrance is covered with plywood finishing.

The significant feature of every temple - Deepastambha is found here too as a six-storeyed octagonal tower having a small statue of Devi embedded in it. It has intricate carvings and has niches for lighting lamps.

The entrance to the sabhamandap has many artistic motifs in it and there is a portrait of Hanuman and Garuda on its either side. The sabhamandap has decorative carved pillars and a row of beautiful chandeliers. The antralaya is the portion that lies between the Sabhamandap and the Garbhagriha. The entry door to Garbhagriha is covered with silver sheet and embossed with suspicious motifs. The pillars and flooring is made up of kashmir stone. Along the walls, there is a place provided for the devotees to sit. This place is made up of colurfully designed marbles. 

As a part of tradition, we can see a tank outside the temple. A flight of stairs lead to the water of the tank.There is a tulsi madam in the centre of the tank which is painted with vibrant colours.

The other features of temple are its nagarjhana, Vedashala, Inbuilt underground well within the temple.