Sacred Shantadurga Kalangutkarin Temple Nanoda, Dicholi, North Goa

Shantadurga is a renowned deity of Goa. She is revered not only as the Goddess of peace but also as a protector. In the form of Shantadurga, the gentle and serene aspect of the Goddess is worshipped. Legend has it that the incarnation of Goddess Shantadurga played a significant role in the historical and religious task of mediating between the Shaiva and Vaishnava sects. There are many magnificent temples of Shantadurga in Goa, one of which is situated in Nanoda. Since the Goddess here migrated from Calangute, she is known as Kalangutkarin.

According to religious history, the Goddess Shantadurga was brought to Goa from Trihotrapura. As per the Marathi Vishwakosh, the land of Mithila had a total of 12 names, one of which was Tirabhukti, which later corrupted into Tihotra. The region north of the Ganges in the present-day state of Bihar is known as the Tirhut region. From here, some Brahmins brought this Goddess to Gomantaka. According to the ‘Devikosh, Volume 2’ by P. K. Prabhudesai, some Saraswats from the Kanyakubja region (modern-day Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh) went on a pilgrimage to Rameshwar. While returning, they received a divine vision in Goa and decided to settle here. Devsharma, Loksharma, and Shivsharma were among the prominent figures who established the Goddess in Goa, initiating a great tradition of Devi worship.

In Goa, a village name is often appended to the name of Shantadurga, similar to a surname. The reason for this lies in the history of religious persecution by the Portuguese in Gomantaka. February 28, 1510, is a dark day in this history. On this day, the Portuguese fleet appeared in the strait of Goa island, following an invitation from the Vijayanagara Empire’s admiral Thimmayya, alias Timoja, and some Hindu leaders of Goa to overthrow the Adil Shahi rule. In November of the same year, the Portuguese conquered Goa, marking the beginning of an era of religious atrocities. In 1567, Diogo Rodrigues, the governor of the Salcete province, demolished 280 Hindu temples and several mosques in that region. This caused widespread panic among the Hindus of Tiswadi, Bardez, and Salcete. Many migrated to nearby Adil Shahi territories along with their deities, including the idols of Shantadurga. To preserve the memory of her original abode, the village name was added to her title.
Accordingly, the Shantadurga of Nanoda originally hails from Calangute, near Mapusa in the Bardez taluka. Due to Portuguese persecution, her temple was relocated to Nanoda in the Bicholim taluka during the 17th century. The grand temple of the Goddess is situated here on a spacious plot of land. An ancient main gate leads into the temple courtyard. Inside the gate, to the left, is a small Linga temple. A short distance away stands the modern structure of the temple, built in the characteristic Goan architectural style. The temple features a tall and wide entrance gate renovated in 2021. In the upper part of the gate, within a niche, is an idol of Jagadamba seated on a throne, holding weapons yet displaying the Abhaya Mudra (gesture of fearlessness). To her left is an idol of Saraswati, and to her right is an idol of Ganesha. These three niches are topped by three spires, and the sub-gates on both sides of the main entrance also feature spires. In front of the left sub-gate, there are two small Tulsi Vrindavans. A shrine for a local folk deity is located within the entrance gate itself. The Sabhamandapa (assembly hall) is semi-open with stone benches (Kakshasanas) on both sides. A row of wide pillars runs along the inner square. To the right of the square in the Sabhamandapa is a shrine containing the stone of Brahmandeva. The Sabhamandapa has a sloping roof on both sides. The temple has two Arthamandapas (antechambers). In the upper part of the arched entrance of the first Arthamandapa, a large, pristine white shrine is installed, housing the golden seat of the Goddess.

In the sanctum sanctorum, the Goddess is enshrined in the form of a tall anthill (Varul) within a high wooden canopy (Makhar). A brass mask wearing a crown rests on the anthill. In front of this, a metal idol of the Goddess seated on a throne is installed. It is said that the idol of the Goddess here is approximately 800 years old. The sanctum is topped by a tiled roof that slopes on all four sides, in the style of old Goan houses. To the right of the temple is a beautiful, small temple of Ganapati.

The Shigmo festival, celebrated in the month of Phalguna, is one of the most popular festivals in Goa and is celebrated with great fervor at the Shantadurga temple. The Shigmo festival is also known here as Shishirotsava. During this ten-day festival, the Goddess is taken out in processions on various vehicles (Vahanas). Thousands of devotees participate in this festival. A grand fair (Jatra) is held here on the second day of the bright fortnight of Margashirsha. Navaratri is celebrated from the first to the tenth day of the bright fortnight of Ashwina. Additionally, Gudi Padwa, Akshaya Tritiya, Kartik Amavasya (Divjotsava), Rama Navami, Kojagiri Purnima, Makar Sankranti, Tulsi Vivah, and Shravani Mondays are also observed here. Except on festival days, the Kaul Prasad (divination) is performed in the temple between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM. In 2021, the ‘Shree Shantadurga Kalangutkarin Devasthan’ Trust constructed a community hall, Agrahara (pilgrim residence), and a dining hall in the temple premises.

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