Shri Shantadurga Temple

The Zatra of Shantadurga being a major festival in Goa, the temples that house the Goddess are equally renowned. There are three temples of Shri Shantadurga – one at Kavlem, one at Pemem and the third at Fatorpa (Quepem). Given below are the details of the three Shri Shantadurga Temple.

• Shri Shantadurga (Kavlem): Located 33 kms from Panaji, and sumptuously built, this Shri Shantadurga temple is dedicated to Shantadurga. Shantadurga is the Goddess who mediates between Vishnu and Shiva. 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. The ‘Agrashalas’ provide lodging facilities to the devotees.
  
  
• Shri Shantadurga (Pemem): This Shri Shantadurga Temple is located 14 kms from Mapusa at Dhargal, Pemem. The Goddess of this Shri Shantaduega temple was removed at Sanquelim when all the temples in Barde were destroyed by the Portuguese. Therefore, in 1550 A.D this Goddess was taken to Dhargal in Pemem Taluka which also formed part of Sewantwadi principality. The ‘Zatra’ of this Goddess is held in the month of December. The temple is set in the midst of extremely beautiful natural surroundings.
  
  
• Shri Shantadurga (Kunkolienkarin): This Shri Shantadurga temple is located 18 kms from Margao, at Fatorpa (Quepem). Originally from Cuncolim village in Salcete Taluka, the Goddess was removed to Fatorpa in 16th Century during religious persecution by the Portuguese – in the era of the Portuguese inquisition. The annual ‘Zatra’ falls in the month of Pausha Shuddha Navami, and attracts thousands of devotees and tourists from all over the world.