Location
Shri Shantadurga Temple, is positioned 18 kms from Margao, at Fatorpa
(Quepem). Situated at the foothill of Kavalem, the Shantadurga temple owns a
beautiful massive tank called as Dipa Stambha and Agrashalas.
The original place of Shree Shantadurga Devi
The original place of Shree Shantadurga devi was at Keloshi. From there
devi was repositioned to Kavlem during the dominance of Portuguese
government. The original site of Sri Shantadurga temple is Kardelivana of
Quelossim in Mormugao Taluka, where the great poet Krishnadas Shama composed
epic "Sri Krishna Charita" credibly in the 14th century on the
lines of Dnyaneshwari.
History
The temple was built in 1728 AD during the rule of Shahu Maharaj of Satara
at the request of Naro Ram Mantri, one of his very good ministers.
Current Structure
This current structure of Shree Shantadurga devi was built during
the period from 1713 A.D to 1738 A.D. Many redevelopments has been done over
the years to the main templeas well as the temples of other deities besides
the agarshala [guest house] which is built encircling the temple.
Other Names
At several places it is known by various names, "Thamai", "Sateri",
"Bhumka", "Adimaya" and others.
Idol
Shree Shantadurga temple has an imposing idol of Goddess Shree Durga who
speculated between Shree Vishnu and Shree Shiva and ceased the fearful war
going on between the two Lords. She is encircled by Vishnu and Shiva on both
the sides.
Three temples of Shri Shantadurga
There are three temples of Shri Shantadurga - one at Kavlem, Pemem and
Fatorpa (Quepem). Given below are the details of the three Shri Shantadurga
Temple in Goa.
Shri Shantadurga (Kavlem): An opulently built temple is located 33
kms from Panaji. The Shri Shantadurga temple has a rich and beautiful
'Garbhakuda' (the holy of holies) where, the deity is kept. The deity was
shifted from Kelsi. This temple is dedicated to Shantadurga. Shantadurga is
the Goddess who mediates between Vishnu and Shiva. The 'Agrashalas' provide
accommodation facilities to the devotees like lodgings etc.
Shri Shantadurga (Pemem): This Shri Shantadurga Temple is positioned
14 kms from Mapusa at Dhargal, Pemem. The temple is set in the middle of
extremely beautiful scenic environment. The Goddess of this Shri Shantaduega
temple was moved out at Sanquelim, when all the temples in Barde were
destroyed by the Portuguese. So, in 1550 A.D this Goddess was taken to
Dhargal in Pemem Taluka which also formed a component of Sewantwadi
territory. The 'Zatra' of this Goddess is held in the month of December.
Shri Shantadurga (Kunkolienkarin): This Shri Shantadurga temple is
situated 18 kms from Margao, at Fatorpa (Quepem). Earlier it was from
Cuncolim village in Salcete Taluka, the Goddess was removed to Fatorpa in
16th Century during religious persecution by the Portuguese. The annual
'Zatra' falls in the month of Pausha Shuddha Navami and is participated by
thousands of devotees and tourists from all over the world.
Festival
The annual zatra, which falls in the month of Pausha Shuddha Navami draws
thousands of devotees from all over the Goa.
