This visit to the Shree Saptakoteshwar
Temple, Narve, Bicholim, Goa, was a part of the Goa Heritage walk to the temples
and Heritage sites, organised by Aatrupadai, from 5th December 2025 to 7th December 2025. Thanks
to திருச்சி பார்த்தி for organising the Heritage walk.
Moolavar: Shree
Saptakoteshwar.
Some of the special
features of this temple are….
This is a temple
dedicated to Shiva, worshipped in the form of a Linga as Saptakoteshwar. It was
originally situated at Naroa, Diwar. During the Portuguese persecution, it was
shifted to Narve, Bicholim, where Chhatrapati Shivaji, the great Maratha ruler, ordered its construction on 13th November 1668.
Chhatrapati Shivaji
The interior walls of the
temple are decorated with kaavi art. In the sabhamandap, there is a black stone
(granite) image of Nandi facing the Shivlinga. Above the entrance of the Sabhamandap
is the inscription of Chhatrapati Shivaji. In front of the temple, there is a
'Dipastambha' with 'Nagabandha' (band of snake motifs). Behind the temple, there
are niches carved in laterite and an ancient pathway known as ‘Paaz’. Three
rock-cut caves, ruins of a Jain kot, and a spring can be seen in the vicinity of
this temple complex.
ARCHITECTURE
This rock-cut
premise consists of remains of ancient caverns and an arcade, which were part of
the landscape before the construction of the Shri Saptakoteshwar temple.
The garbhagriha of
the temple, which was actually a rock-cut cave, existed as a part of this rock-cut premise called Arcade.
Sanctum sanctorum back side wall - a part of the rock caut caveSanctum sanctorum back side - steps
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTIONS
Shri
Saptakoteshwar Devasthan was built in the year 1668 by Chatrapati Shivaji
Maharaj.
An inscription mentioning the construction of this temple is a testimony to this historic
structure. This historic temple is a protected monument of the Department of
Archaeology, Government of Goa.
RESTORATION
PROCESS
The Government of
Goa began the restoration work of Shri Saptakoteshwar Temple in the year 2019
on the occasion of its 350th anniversary.
The development
of the conservation plan has taken into account the significant architectural
features of Goan temples in general as well as the historical and archaeological
importance of Shree Saptakoteshwar Temple. While restoring the Shree Saptakoteshwar
temple and its surroundings, the intrinsic value of the temple complex, its
architectural elements such as Deepstambh, Tulsi Vrindavan and the Tali have
been considered.
MAIN TEMPLE
RESTORATION
This restoration
work focused on preserving the temple's original architecture while also
protecting its historical legacy, cultural values, and traditions.
The architectural
restoration focused on restoring the temple to its original style using
traditional materials and methods, with minimum modern interventions to
maintain the temple's historic appearance and aesthetic value.
RESTORATION OF
PLINTH MOULDINGS
As the external
plinth mouldings were hidden under the existing pathway around the main Temple,
a peripheral trench was excavated along the temple to expose the mouldings.
After excavating
the trench, the cement plaster was removed from the mouldings very carefully using a chisel and hammer. They were found to be damaged beyond repair after the
removal of plaster from them.
Interventions
included creating a trench around the temple to save the structure from groundwater ingress and to expose plinth mouldings.
DEEPSTAMBH, TULSI
VRUNDAVAN AND TALI
Intrinsic value
of the overall temple complex, including cultural elements like Deepstambh,
Tulsi Vrundavan, Tali on the north-east side and a row of rock-cut laterite
arcades, was taken into consideration while restoring the main temple and its
surroundings.
Deepstambh and
Tulsi Vrundavan are restored in lime plaster, adding aesthetic value by
restoring decorative works in their original historic character.
KAAVI RESTORATION
PROCESS
1. Research on
various traditional patterns and motifs found in Kaavi art.
2. Documenting
nomenclature for the temple's existing Kaavi art in the region and at this
temple.
3. Designing
prototype models and a plan to be used on the restored walls.
4. Making
stencils and templates in the desired sizes for the motifs.
5. Through
careful research and the use of locally accessible substances like stone powder
and herbal components, the Kaavi art was restored.
ENTRANCE PATHWAY
The surrounding
area of the temple was beautified during the restoration process and paved with
traditional exposed laterite stones.
The footpath
leading to the temple from the main road is restored with exposed laterite
stones by maintaining its original historical character.
Kal Bairavar Temple Kal Bairavar Temple
Found abandoned
The canteen / Tea Shop
--- OM SHIVAYA
NAMA ---
