30 Famous Temples to Visit in Goa

Sri Mahadeva Temple

One of the state's oldest temples devoted to Lord Shiva is the Sri Mahadeva Temple. It is believed to have been constructed by Hemadri, a minister to King Ramachandra of the Yadava Dynasty, although it also has architectural elements from the time the Kadamba Dynasty ruled Goa. Basalt rocks from the Deccan Plateau were used to construct the monument, which is decorated with exquisite carvings created by master carvers of the time.

Shri Mangueshi Temple

In commemoration of Bhagwan Manguesh, the Kuldevata of Gaud Saraswat Brahmins, the Shri Mangueshi Temple was constructed. The god is thought to be Lord Shiva, whose name was taken from the words "Mam Girisha," which Goddess Parvati used when Lord Shiva tried to scare her by assuming the form of a tiger.

Maruti Temple

The magnificent Maruti Temple, which is situated on Altinho Hill, was constructed following the end of the Portuguese era. The temple is bordered by a cool stream of the same name, which gives it a tranquil yet energizing atmosphere. When the Portuguese destroyed all the Hindu temples in Goa to advance Christianity, the idol of Lord Hanuman was hidden. Until the conclusion of the Portuguese era, the followers would offer their prayers here in secret.

Shri Saptakoteshwar Temple

This temple, which is dedicated to Saptakoteshwar, a different manifestation of Shiva, was constructed in the twelfth century during the reign of a king of the Kadamba dynasty for his deeply pious wife. One of the outstanding features of this temple, which is located in Maem village in Goa, is its distinctive architecture, which features a Moghal dome mounted above octagonal tiled roofs, a sizable lamp tower, an assembly hall, and a Mandapa constructed in the European style.

Shri Mahalsa Temple

In Mardol in North Goa, there is a temple called Shri Mahalsa Temple that has been serving Goddess Mahalsa for fifty years. The shrine is devoted to Lord Vishnu's Avatar or incarnation, Shri Mahalasa Narayani, commonly known as Mohini. The temple is a must-visit for its peaceful surroundings and classic Hindu temple design, which is characterized by a magnificent copper roof, a granite mandap, and an antiquated bell.

Shri Mahalaxmi Temple

Shri Mahalaxmi Temple - Bandora is dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi with quite a unique feature - a Linga on the head of the deity. It is a temple devoted to the goddess Mahalakshmi. The Kadamba Kings and the Silahara kings both worshipped the deity. This temple, which was built in 1866 after the Portuguese demolished the ancient shrine, is an exquisite illustration of traditional Konkani temple construction.

Shri Shantadurga Temple

One of Goa's greatest temple complexes is Shri Shantadurga Temple. It is devoted to Goddess Durga, who serves as one of the Gaud Saraswat Brahmins' patron goddesses. Around 1715 AD, the temple was constructed. After the Portuguese took over the state, it was moved from Keloshi. It is a well-known tourist destination due to the exquisite Indo-Portuguese-style temple building and the wonderful idol of the deity.

Shri Kamakshi temple

In the scenic village of Shiroda, there is a shrine called Shri Kamakshi temple that dates back to the late 16th century. This enormous temple is devoted to Goddess Kamakshi, who is another name for Parvati and is thought to be Lord Shiva's spouse. It also contains temples to several other gods, including Lord Shiva, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Vishnu. Every day, thousands of devotees come to this temple, and the number keeps growing—especially around the time of yearly celebrations like Dusherra, Navratri, and Jatra.

Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple

The 18th-century temple Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. When the Portuguese took control of Goa in the late 16th century, the idol had already been moved from Salcete. A sacred water tank, murals, wooden sculptures, and a gallery for musicians are all featured in the stunning temple complex. Every year, when a procession honoring the gods is held on the occasion of Shukla Chaturdashi, the temple is overrun with worshippers.

Shri Ramnath Temple

Lord Rama, Lakshmi Narayan, Lord Ganesh, Kamakshi, Shanteri, and Betal & Kalbhairav are among the five deities honored at the Shri Ramnath Temple, also referred to as the temple of Ramnath. The 450-year-old temple holds a special place in the Gowda Saraswat Brahmins' religious life. To protect the idols from the Portuguese, it was originally situated in Salcete but was moved in the 16th century.

Shri Damodar temple

Shri Damodar Temple is a Hindu temple devoted to Lord Damodar, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, and is located in Zambaulim town and on the banks of the Kushavati River in Goa. In addition to being admired in the city for its exquisite design, this temple is renowned for hosting lavish festivities such as Kartik Poornima, Mahashivratri, and the well-known Shigmo festival.

Brahma Temple

The Brahma Temple, one of the oldest Hindu pilgrimage sites, was constructed in the fifth century AD and is located in the picturesque Goan village of Carambolim. The well-defined, exquisite picture of Brahma carved out of black stone dating back to the 12th century is one of the main characteristics of this temple, which is the only one in the city dedicated to Lord Brahma.

Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple in Veling, Goa, is a stunning temple with great architecture that features lovely paintings and wooden relief sculptures. This temple was built in the 18th century and is devoted to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, who is his consort. The temple's highlights include a magnificent water tank encircled by several coconut palm trees, a temple hall covered in pictures of Lord Vishnu in various guises, a gallery for musicians, and extravagant annual celebrations.

Shri Rudreshwar Temple

Shri Rudreshwar Temple, which is devoted to Lord Shiva, is quite a sight and is reached by a flight of stairs that are located close to the magnificent 70-meter-high Harvalem Waterfall. In addition to the many worshippers that come to the temple every day in the morning to worship the deity, it draws a sizable audience on two occasions: the first is when Hindus come to perform rites for the deceased, and the second is during Mahashivratri celebrations.

Shri Nagesh Maharudra Temple

Shri Nagesh Maharudra Temple, which is devoted to Lord Nagesh, is located in a beautiful setting in the Ponda city of Goa with a variety of hills and trees surrounding it (an incarnated form of Lord Shiva who is worshipped by Hindu Goans). The temple is frequently complimented for its tranquil environment and stunning antique water reservoir that is encircled by palm trees.

Shri 1008 Adinath Digambar Jain Mandir

In Goa, close to Margao railway station, lies the exceedingly well-kept Shri 1008 Adinath Digambar Jain Mandir, a Jains' place of devotion. The temple is renowned for its exquisite construction and the figure of the deity; also, the serene atmosphere of the location is well loved. Additionally, there is a Jain Dharamshala next to this temple with very clean AC and Non-AC rooms where people can stay for incredibly low prices.

Devaki Krishna temple

Lord Krishna, Lord Balrama, and their mother, Goddess Devaki, are honored in the Devaki Krishna temple in Marcel, Goa, which is a revered Hindu shrine. This temple frequently has lavished celebrations for holidays like Gokulastami, Ramnavmi, and Malini Purnima, among others. Additionally, the temple is home to a few sizable halls for weddings and other ceremonies, as well as lodging options with AC and non-AC rooms that are rented to visitors at reasonable rates.

Bhagwati Temple

The largest and oldest temple dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati (Lord Shiva's spouse), is located in the Goan city of Pernem and displays Goan-style architecture. There are five different temples within this complex, one for each of the five gods: Brahma, Shri Bhagwanti, Shri Sateri, Shri Dev Bhivangi Panchakshari, and Shri Dev Ravalnath. The holy site is also well-known in Pernem for its Dussehra event, which attracts over 20,000 people.

Baingineshwar Shrine

Baingineshwar Shrine, a historic and beautiful holy site situated on the National Highway in the Goa Velha town, is surrounded by lovely greenery. People can have a hard time finding it because it's so little and located on an uneven path. But if they do manage to get here, they will like this lovely shrine with its serene surroundings.

Chandreshwar Bhoothnath temple

The Chandreshwar Bhoothnath Temple is a historic temple that can be found 14 kilometers from Margao on the way to

Quepem. It is situated atop the 350-meter-high Chandranath hill, which is thickly forested and home to a manifestation of Shiva, the Lord of the Moon. The Bhoja dynasty, who ruled the area until the eighth century, is linked to the Chandranath Bhoothnath temple.

Kamakshi Temple

The goddess Kamakhya, originally a divinity from Guwahati, Assam, is honored in the Kamakshi Temple. She is also referred to as Shantadurga, the goddess of peace, and Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. The Kamakshi idol was transported to Shiroda between 1564 and 1568 when the Portuguese demolished the deity's original temple, which was located in Raia in Salcete Taluka. A Salagrama Shila was used to chisel the goddess' likeness. The design of the main tower is particularly impressive, and the roof has a striking similarity to a Buddhist pagoda.

Shri Bodgeshwar temple

The Shri Bodgeshwar temple is situated around 12 kilometers from Panaji, close to Mapusa. The temple is located just outside of Mapusa city, surrounded by rice fields. Locally known as Bodgini, the location features a shrine honoring Kanakeshwar Baba, also known as Bodgeshwar. Bodgeshwar is revered as an "Angavani," a term for someone to whom vows are made and who grants worshippers' wishes.

Mahalsa Temple

Mahalsa Temple is located near Mardol, 9 kilometers from Ponda. To prevent destruction during the forced Christianization of Salcette, Goa was moved here from the Velha Conquistas Salcette. Mahalasa is referred to be "Mahalsa Narayani" since she is said to be Lord Vishnu in the Mohini form.

The two key dates in the yearly calendar are Navaratri and the temple's Magha Jatra (festival). This temple hosts the well-known Jaianchi Puja in August. Due to the temple's practice of Palakhi Seva on Sundays, this day is significant. In a Palkhi, the goddess is driven around the temple.

Mangueshi Temple

The Mangueshi temple, one of Goa's many Hindu temples, is around 21 kilometers from Panaji. Kushasthali served as the Manguesh temple's original location (present-day Cortalim). The linga was moved from the original temple to its current position at Priol as the threat of persecution grew. Manguesh is a manifestation of Lord Shiva, and there are Dwarpalas on either side of the Shivalinga in the sanctum's fluorite design (guards).

The temple combines contemporary design with classic Hindu patterns. The temple's entrance is marked by an image that protects the holiness of the temple by keeping everything impure out of its inside. Celebrations and regular devotional events are carried out with considerable zeal. The weekly festival is on Monday.

Ramnath Temple

Ramnath is home to the Ramnath Temple, which is 7 kilometers from Ponda. Before traveling to Sri Lanka to retrieve his bride, Sita, Lord Rama prayed to Ramnath, a manifestation of Lord Shiva. Ramnath Nath translates to "lord of Shri Rama." Loutolim in Salcette served as the site of Goa's first temple. To avoid being destroyed by the Portuguese authorities of the time, the Idol of Ramnath was moved to its current location in the 16th century. In the archway is a portrait of Garuda and Hanuman standing in their customary stances.