Naguesh Temple, Bandora

This temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the most ancient temples in Goa.It was established in 1413, years before Alfonso de Albuquerque arrived in Goa. The assembly hall of the temple has pillars with intricate woodcarvings. These carvings, that have been colourfully painted, narrate stories from the Hindu epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata. On either side of the sanctum are ancillary shrines of Lakshmi- Narayan and Lord Gasnesh. This temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the most ancient temples in Goa.It was established in 1413, years before Alfonso de Albuquerque arrived in Goa. The assembly hall of the temple has pillars with intricate woodcarvings. These carvings, that have been colourfully painted, narrate stories from the Hindu epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Beside the temple is a five-storied deepstambh (lamp tower). Niched on the lower half of the tower is brightly painted deities. The centuries old water tank is also worth looking at.The most important festival that is commemorated here during the month of November is the Anguish Satrap.

This temple, dedicated to lord Shiva, is one of the most serene temples in Goa. It is situated on the banks of the Kushavati River, which is said to have medicinal properties. The original temple of this deity was situated in Margao. The deity was transferred to its present location in the year 1567 when the Portuguese brought down the original temple and built the Church of the Holy Spirit in its place. However, the present day temple building is quite modern. It was built sometime in the 1950s. The main festival celebrated at this temple is Holi or Gulal. Loads of devotees from all over Goa join in the celebrations. This colourful event is revelled amidst pomp and gaiety for several days.

Damodar Temple, Zambaulim

22 kms from Margao to Zambaulim-Sanguem. Situated in picturesque surroundings on the banks of river Kushavati, popularly known as Panti. Near the temple, the river is regarded particulary holy and is said to have medicinal properties. The deity is worshipped by the Hindus and Christians alike.

A week long celebration of Shigmo is packed with programs which include a colourful fair, exchange of gulal, collective meals and presentation of shows on popular legends and folk culture. The deity was originally in Margao.

Shantadurga Temple, Kavlem

Situated 33 kms from Panajim, Shree Shantadurga temple has an impressive idol of Goddess Shree Durga who mediated between Shree Vishnu and Shree Shiva and stopped the fiercefull war going on between the two. She is flanked by Vishnu and Shiva on both the sides.

The temples of Shree Shantadurga and Shree Mangesh, two of the most revered patron deities of the Hindu Goud Saraswat Brahmin community are located in Kavlem and Mangeshi respectively in the Ponda district of North Goa.

This avatar of Shree Jagdamba devi which had come to make peace [Shanti] between Shree Vishnu and Shree Shiva, came to be known as
Shree Shantadurga devi. The original place of Shree Shantadurga devi was at Keloshi. From there devi was shifted to Kavlem during the rule of portuguese government.

This current temple structure of Shree Shantadurga devi was built during the period from 1713 a.d to 1738 a.d. Many renovations have been done over the years to the main temple and to the temples of other deities besides the agarshala [guest house] which is built on three sides of the temple.

Mahalaxmi Temple, Bandode

Shri Mahalaxmi Temple is 4 kms from Ponda in the village Bandora. Shri Nagesh Maharoudra Temple is destined approximately 300 meter apart. The presiding deity is Shri Mahalaxmi other deities in the temple are Shri Narayan, Shri Baleshwar, Shri Ravalnath and Shri Narayan Purush. This place was known in the past as "Bandiwad" or "Bandivadem.

The temple is considered the abode of the original Goddess of the Shakti cult. The Sabhamandap has a gallery of 18 images, out of 24 images of emanatory aspects of Bhagvata sect, which is considered one of the few galleries of wooden images of Vishnu in India. The image of Mahalakshmi has a close resemblance to that of Mahalakshmi at Kolhapur, the main centre of worship. Her special feature is that she wears a Linga on her head and is considered a peaceful or Satvik form of the Devi. The Shilahara rulers (750-1030 A. D.) and the early Kadamba Kings of Goa worshipped the Goddess Mahalakshmi.Navaratri is celebrated grandly here. The speciality of this temple is its beautiful chowka which is famous for its grandeur and beauty.

Mahalsa Temple, Mardol

The temple of Mahalsa Narayani is located at the small village of Mardol, just about a km from the famous Mangueshi temple and about 22 kms from Panaji, the capital city. Originally, the deity was housed in a temple at an ancient shrine in village of Verna which is now the site of an industrial estate. Along with other Goan temples, this beautiful temple at Verna was also marked for destruction by the Portuguese around 1543.

Mahadev Temple at Tambdi Surla

The most ancient temple in the whole of Goa is located at a place called Tambi Surla which is approximately 65 kms from the capital city of Panaji and 12 kms from the border crossing post of Mollem. Tambdi Surla itself is in the midst of a forested area accessible via a 22 kms route from the main town of Valpoi in Sattari Taluka.

Manguesh Temple, Priol

This temple is 22 kms. from Panaji (26 kms. from Margao) at Priol in Ponda Taluka. The temple is dedicated to Lord Manguesh, a form of Shiva, which is recognised only in Goa. Mythology says that Lord Shiva came to Goa after having lost everything in a game of dice against his wife, Parvati. When Parvati came looking for him, he disguised himself as a tiger and frightened her. In a state of shock, Parvati uttered the words, "Trahi Mam Grisha", which when translated means, "O Lord of the Mountains, save me".