Ancient Shantadurga Temple Deulwada, Dhargal, Pedne, North Goa

Shantadurga is a form of Parvati. When the world reached the brink of destruction during the war between Vishnu and Mahadeva, Lord Brahma requested Parvati to mediate between the two. Due to the Goddess’s intervention, the war between them ceased and peace was established; hence, the Goddess came to be known as Shantadurga. The Goddess Shantadurga is worshipped in Goa, Maharashtra, and some regions of Karnataka. In many villages of Goa and the Sindhudurg district of Konkan, the Goddess is worshipped in the form of an anthill, while in some villages, grand temples of this Goddess have been erected. One of the ancient and famous temples of the Goddess among these is in the village of Dhargal in Goa. Devotees believe that the awakened Goddess here fulfills their vows.

The history of the temple is said to be about ๔๕๐ years old. The original idol here is even older. Previously, this idol was in a temple in the Talevada area of Mapusa. During the period of the Portuguese government, after temples faced threats, the idol was taken to the village of Sakhal. However, not feeling assured of its safety there either, the idol was brought to the village of Dhargal in the year ๑๕๓๗ under the patronage of the Kings of Sawantwadi. At that same time, a temple was built at this location and the idol was consecrated. This is a Panchayatan shrine, and the other temples here are equally ancient. Shantadurga is a form of Goddess Kalika and Chamunda, and there is also a legend that this fierce deity became peaceful upon arriving in the land of Goa, which is why she came to be named Shantadurga.

There is a large welcome arch for the temple on the road leading from the main road. The arch has two square pillars on both sides of the road, and there is a balcony atop the pillars. On the balcony, there is a crescent-shaped crest, and above it, there are a total of three spires, one in the center and two on either side. There is a spacious parking lot in front of the temple. One enters the temple courtyard through the entrances located at the back and front of the sturdy fortification surrounding the temple. The main entrance is two-storied, and there is a drum house on the upper floor. The entrance has carved wooden shutters and a wooden ceiling on the inside. On both sides of the rear entrance of the temple, there are two sturdy pillars topped with a balcony. Above the balcony, in the center, stands a tall Gopuram-style spire, flanked by two smaller spires on either side.

The spacious courtyard of the temple is paved with paver blocks. In the courtyard, there is a Garuda sculpture within an ancient Tulsi Vrindavan. On a hexagonal pedestal in the courtyard stands a nine-tiered hexagonal lamp tower. At the top of the lamp tower, there is one main spire and six smaller spires. Additionally, there is an ancient-style guest house in the courtyard, which includes residences for the temple servants. In the two-story pilgrim residence located in the courtyard, there are thirty well-equipped rooms for devotees. Apart from this, there is an auspicious ceremony hall here.

The temple structure consists of a Sabha Mandapa, a main Sabha Mandapa, an Antarala, and a Garbhagriha. The Sabha Mandapa here is completely open in design. There are steps in front of the entrance to the Sabha Mandapa, which is elevated above the courtyard. At the entrance, there is a semi-circular archway. Inside the Sabha Mandapa, there are four rows of circular pillars. The pillars in each row are connected to one another by semi-circular arches. The floor between the central pillars of the Sabha Mandapa is sunken, and there are seating areas provided for devotees to sit. In the main assembly hall, the presiding deity resides in the form of a Shiva Linga within a small canopy. It is said that the responsibility of protecting this Panchayatana temple complex and the surrounding five-kos region rests upon this deity.

Further ahead, the entrance to the main assembly hall is at a higher elevation than the hall itself, which is why there are steps leading up to the entrance. The entrance has intricately carved wooden doors. The main assembly hall is two-storied. In the main assembly hall, there are four rows of six circular pillars each. The pillars in each row are connected to one another by semicircular arches, and above these arches is the balcony of the upper floor. Further ahead is the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum. The doorframe of the sanctum and the archway above it are made of silver. In the center of the archway is a Kirtimukha. Inside the sanctum, on a Vajrapitha, stands the idol of Goddess Shantadurga made of black stone. It is said that this idol was crafted in recent times.

The idol of the Goddess is four-armed. In the two back hands, the Goddess holds a serpent-noose, while in one front hand she holds a sword and in the other a drinking vessel. There is a crown on her head, and behind the crown, a seven-hooded serpent is carved. On the back slab behind the idol, there are horizontal decorative carvings. In the silver prabhavali (arch) behind the idol, there is a Kirtimukha in the center and floral patterns on both sides. The idol is seated in a silver makhar (shrine), and there is a Gajatorana on the pillars of the makhar. In front of the Vajrapitha, there is a silver Utsavamurti (processional idol) of the Goddess seated on a silver throne. This idol is placed in the palanquin during the Palkhi procession. To the right side of Goddess Shantadurga, on a Vajrapitha, is an idol of Goddess Sateri carved in black stone. It is said that the original abode of this Goddess is in Mapusa. Behind the Goddess are the stones representing other local deities. The ceiling of the sanctum sanctorum has a two-tiered shikhara (spire). The first lower tier is square-shaped. The second circular tier is tall and tapers towards the top. At the pinnacle of the shikhara, there is an amalaka, a kalasha, and a flag.

Adjacent to this temple is a tiled temple of Mahadeva. The temple is structured with a Mukhamandapa (entrance hall), Sabhamandapa (assembly hall), and Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). In the Sabhamandapa, there is an idol of Nandi placed on a pedestal. The Garbhagriha houses a Shivlinga, an idol of Ganesha, and stone idols of other local deities. Beside this temple is the Dandapaneshwara temple. The structure of this temple consists of a Mukhamandapa, Sabhamandapa, Antarala (vestibule), and Garbhagriha. In the Garbhagriha here, there is a black stone idol of Lord Dandapaneshwara placed on a Vajrapitha (diamond pedestal). Additionally, there are temples dedicated to Ravalnath and the Samadhi of the progenitor Ramshet Khalap.

The main annual fair festival here is celebrated with great enthusiasm on Margashirsha Shuddha Chaturdashi. On occasions such as Phalguna Shuddha Chaturdashi and Shravani Mondays, the Goddess’s Palkhi festival is celebrated. During this time, the Palkhi procession of the Goddess is taken out amidst the sounds of drums and cymbals, with the showering of Gulal. The Ratha Utsav is celebrated on Ratha Saptami. During the Navratri festival, there is a large crowd of devotees visiting the temple for Darshan for ten consecutive days. During all these festivals, thousands of devotees from Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka come for the Darshan of the Goddess and to fulfill their vows. The lap of the Goddess is filled with Khan-Naral, and sarees, blouses, and auspicious ornaments are offered to Her.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.

Sacred Darshan Gallery