Shri Shantadurga Chamundeshwari Temple Kudtari, Sasashti, South Goa

The temple of Goddess Shantadurga Chamundeshwari, located at Avedem in Quepem Taluka, is renowned. It is said that the original seat of the Goddess is in the village of Curtorim in Salcete. Situated along the main road, this temple houses the idols of Goddess Shantadurga and Chamundeshwari installed side-by-side on the same pedestal. With a history dating back to the sixteenth century, this temple is considered one of the ancient Shaktipeethas of Goa.

It is said that the original temple of Goddess Shantadurga Chamundeshwari was located until the year ۱۵۶۰ at a place called Sandival or Sandelv in the village of Curtorim, Salcete. During that period, due to the cruel religious intolerance of the Portuguese, the local residents were forced to flee. The Portuguese destroyed many temples at that time. To prevent the desecration of the idols of the deities, the villagers had already relocated many of them to safe places. The idols of Goddess Shantadurga and Chamundeshwari from the Curtorim temple were similarly moved first to the Chandrawadi region. Thereafter, they were installed at Ghudo Wada in the village of Avedem in Quepem Taluka. Although the temple is located in Avedem, it is still known by the name of its original village, Curtorim, as the ‘Shantadurga Chamundeshwari Curtorim Mahamaya Devasthan’.

According to the Sahyadri Khanda of the Skanda Purana, Goddess Shantadurga is considered the peaceful form of Goddess Durga. She is the one who established peace by mediating in the war between Shiva and Vishnu. It is said that after Lord Brahma prayed to the Shakti to stop this war, the Goddess brought about reconciliation between Shiva and Vishnu. Some ancient texts mention the conflicts between the Vaishnava and Shaiva sects in Goa during the seventeenth century. This story is considered a symbol of those conflicts. Another legend states that the Goddess appeared before the sage Shantamuni, who was performing penance, and later disappeared into an anthill. Because of this, she is also worshipped in many places in the form of Sateri or an anthill. The form of Chamundeshwari seen in this temple is associated with the slaying of Mahishasura. The presence of both Goddesses, Chamundeshwari and Shantadurga, together is considered the unique feature of this place.

Located right next to the road, this temple is situated in a slightly sunken area. The main entrance arch of the temple is in the boundary wall surrounding the courtyard. On the upper side of the two pillars of this arch, there are two elephants with raised trunks, and between them is a pinnacle structure featuring a lotus flower. One enters the temple courtyard by descending seven to eight steps from this entrance arch. In the courtyard, in front of the temple, there is a large platform with a five-tiered lamp tower (Deepmal) and a Tulsi Vrindavan. Each tier of the lamp tower has a circular arrangement of lamp niches. The structure of this temple consists of a Mukhamandapa (front hall), Sabhamandapa (main hall), and Antarala (vestibule). The semi-open Mukhamandapa has steps for entry from three sides.

There are carved wooden pillars at the entrance of the Sabhamandapa. On the lintel of this entrance, there is intricate wooden carving topped with a Kirtimukha. In the center of the enclosed Sabhamandapa, there is a large brass lamp (Samai) kept inside a glass case. Beyond the Sabhamandapa, leaving space for the circumambulation path (Pradakshina Path), is the sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha). There are guardian statues (Dwarapala) on both sides of the entrance to this sanctum. The door frame of the sanctum features distinctive wooden carvings. On the lintel of the entrance, there is a wooden carving of Lord Ganesha in the center, with elephants on both sides. Inside the sanctum, the stone idols of Chamundeshwari and Shantadurga Mahamaya are placed on the same pedestal. Both idols are adorned with silver crowns, and there is carved artwork on the back slab. There are two doors on the circumambulation path to exit from the sanctum. The Sabhamandapa of this temple has a two-sloped tiled roof structure. Above the roof of the sanctum, there is a parapet wall and a medium-height pinnacle. This pinnacle is topped with an Amalaka and a Kalasha.

In the temple courtyard, there are shrines for Brahman Dev, Kshetrapal, and Ravalnath. It is said that in ancient times, there were thirteen deities in Curtorim, where the original temple of Chamundeshwari was located. Their names are given as Sateri, Narayan, Chandeshwari, Kshetrapal, Satuliya, Ravalnath, Chandranath, Durga Devi, Bhagwati, Solveshwar, Maheshwar, Ganesh, and Keshnath. The temples of Shantadurga, Chamundeshwari, Laxminarayan, Ravalnath, Ganapati, etc., located in Avedem village are considered to be the forms of the original deities from Curtorim.

The anniversary of this temple is celebrated on Chaitra Krishna Saptami. Bhajans are held here every Sunday and Monday during the month of Shravan, and the Goddess’s palanquin procession takes place on the last Monday. The Kojagiri festival is celebrated on Ashwin Purnima. Festivals like Vasant Panchami, Lalita Panchami, Magh Shukla Panchami, Laxmipujan, Tulsi Vivah, Phalgun Purnima, and Holi are celebrated here with great enthusiasm. The Navratri festival is celebrated with special fervor. The main annual festival here is the Jatra or Jatrotsav. It is celebrated during the period from Paush Shukla Trayodashi to Purnima. During these three days of the festival, the premises and the temple are decorated. Special pujas are organized in the temple. Hundreds of devotees come here to witness the Aarti and the festivities.

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