The Flight of Gods 32. Shantadurga Temple, Dhargal

The Flight of Gods

by Mohan Pai

Sri Shantadurga Temple

Dhargal

This temple is located at Dhargal, about 14 km from Mapusa in Pernem taluka. This temple is dedicated to Shree Shantadurga, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva.
Photo by Mohan Pai

It is one of the few temples in Bardez that survived the Portuguese Inquisition and during that time the deity was moved from the house of Shree Kichkar of Taliwada, Mapusa to Sanquelim, which was then a part of the Maratha kingdom of Sawantwadi.

Photo by Mohan Pai

It was subsequently installed at Dhargal in Pernem in 1550 ,which was then also a principality of the Sawantwadi kingdom. The main festival or "Zatra" falls in December and draws huge crowds.

The Flight of Gods 31. Bhagawati Temple, Pernem & Parshem

The Flight of Gods
by Mohan Pai

Sri Bhagawati Temple
Pernem


Photograph by Mohan Pai

This is an ancient temple located at Pernem about 28 Kms from Panaji, in Pernem taluka. It is dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva. The deity is very imposing and stands on a high pedestal. The main festival is Dusshera which attracts thousands of devotees from all over.

Photograph by Mohan Pai

The Temple, situated by the side of the main road, is said to be more than 500 years old. Two life size images of elephants in standing position, made of black stone on either side at the entrance welcome the visitors.

Photograph by Mohan Pai

The Goddess Bhagwati Asthbhuja in a standing position on a high pedestal, is very imposing. Dussehra is celebrated with gaiety from Ashwin Shuddha Pratipada to Poomima, when over 25 thousand devotees assemble at the temple.Photograph by Mohan Pai

The complex has five temples, main temple being of Shri Bhagawati, other temples are of Shri Sateri, Shri Dev Ravalnath, Shri Dev Bhivangi Panchakshari & Brahma (Shri Vishnu, Shri Ganapath, Shri Shankar). Main festivals are Dassehra and annual Zatra.

Shri Bhagawati Temple

Parshem

Photograph by Mohan Pai

This is another temple ro Shri Bhagavati situated at a distance of just 7 km. from Pemem.
The complex has five temples, main temple being of Shri Bhagavati, other temples are of Shri Sateri, Shri Dev Ravalnath, Shri Dev Bhivangi Panchakshari & Brahma (Shri Vishnu, Shri Ganapath, Shri Shankar).Devi Bhagavati temple has two Deepstambhas unique of its kind. Main festivals are Dassehra and annual Zatra.

Photograph by Mohan Pai

There is an ancient baniyan tree spread over hundreds of sq metres with a shrine at the base very close to the temple.