Sri Nagesh Maharudra Temple, Goa

The Shree Nageshi Maharudra Temple, being home to the Swayambhu shrine of Lord Shankar, is known by citizens all across India. It was back in ancient times when the Shivlinga was discovered to be here. The origins of this shrine are so ancient that it is not available anymore. There is only one story that links to the discovery of the Shivlinga.

The Saraswats also established the Sri Nagesh Maharudra deity at Bhandiwade. Unlike the other deities, this one found a safe abode right from the start and did not have to be shifted from place to place. The temple, which faces west, has a beautiful tank in front, with a Nandi bull in black granite standing at its entrance. At some distance are also visible the smaller temples of Poorvachari, Betal, and Raval Nath. The Palace of the Sunda King stands in the neighborhood.

A peculiar feature of the Saraswat temples of Goa is the priority given there to the local Christian devotees who are said to flock to these temples. Irrespective of having embraced Christianity, many of the present-day Christians still hold on to their pre-conversion surnames and still sponsor and support the deities of their Hindu brethren. It is a measure of how deep their roots run, despite all the Portuguese influence that had been thrust upon them.

History

The Nageshi Temple was built in 1413 when the region was under the rule of King Veer Pratap Devaraya of the mighty Vijaynagara Empire. The temple underwent an extensive renovation process in the days of Chatrapati Shahu the Maratha ruler of Satara. This beautiful temple stands where it was originally built and not on restored grounds. It remains unaffected by the Portuguese rulers who arrived in the 16th century; the reason being the Antruj of Ponda Mahal was not under Portuguese domain.

Architecture

This temple is built in the hollows of the valley; the description of this temple goes this way, it has a small arched entrance at the one end with naubat khana placed on the up, and further to this is a village. Two sides are kept open, in a miscellany of separate shrines Parivar devatas are placed displayed in the courtyard, with a simple plastered covering in red color. On the entrance of this main building, there is a domed octagonal temple tower place with very rare two domes having the look of flattened which is something attractive, the main towers truncated dome is kept higher with a huge lantern. This floor has a new hall designed for dance and musical activities keeping in mind with festivals. Every side of mandapa's entrance is designed with the arts of Hanuman who has known God of Monkey and Garuda Vishnu's vehicle, half eagle half-man, and the doors are magnificently carved in wood placed with Ganesh on them. A dynamic silver arched doorway that takes you from pillared hall to sanctuary, the best part is the creation of twenty-four wooden panels painted lightly, thus displaying the pictures of Bhagavata Puran along with the story of Lord Krishna and Vishnu's eighth incarnation.