This visit to the Shri
Kamakshi Temple, Ponda, Shiroda, 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. The temple is on
the east side of the Zuari River.
The presiding
Deity: Shree Kamakshi
Some of the
salient features of this temple are….
The temple faces
east with an entrance arch on the street and a two-storey mandapa on the west. 19
steps are provided to climb the mandapa from the road. Two stone simhas are at the
entrance to the east side mandapa. Vinayagar, Gurdian deity, and the Shiva Linga are at
the entrance of the mandapa. Dwarapalakas, Dhathathreya, Hanuman, and
Kalbhairava are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Shree Kamakshi is in a
standing posture on a Silver throne, holding a sword in the right hand and a shield
in the left hand.
In the praharam, Deepa Sthambh, Tulsi mada, Nagars, Shree Rayeshwar (Shiva), Shree Lakshmi
Narayana, Shree Radha Krishna, Shree Shantha
Durga, and a sacred well.
The temple tanks
are on the east side of the temple with a two-tier entrance mandapam.
Dwarapalakas are at the first level.
Gurdian deity - In the place of Dwarapalakas
Gurdian deity - In the place of Dwarapalakas
ARCHITECTURE
The temple
consists of the sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam, Sabha mandapa/ maha mandapam,
and mukha mandapam. A circumambulatory path is provided around the sanctum
sanctorum. A two-tier octagonal vimanam with a golden kalas is in the sanctum
sanctorum. The mandapas have a Mangalore tiled roof. Sabha mandapa's wooden pillars
are exquisitely carved.
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTIONS
It is said that
the temple belongs to the 17th century, with a small structure. Later, the temple was renovated and expanded duing Maratha period.
LEGENDS
As per the
legend, the Shri Kamakshi idol at Shiroda was brought from Guwahati in Assam, where
she is known as Kamakhya. The original temple of Shri Kamakshi was located in
Raia in the Salcete Taluka. The deity was shifted to Shiroda between 1564 and
1568, since the Portuguese rulers demolished most of the Hindu temples, and this
is one of them. It is believed that a potter from the Raia, accompanied by
some worshippers of the deity, smuggled the idol of Goddess Kamakshi across the River Kushavati to safety in the Shiroda village. Latter a temple was built in the 16th
– 17th century.
As per the
Kamakshi Mahatmyam, the Sahyadri Khand of the Skandha Purana speaks about
the deity. According to it, a Brahmin-Agnimukh residing in a place called Rai
(present day Raia), once sent his son named Gunakar to the forest, to collect dry grass used in the Puja/ritual. The
demon Mahishasura swallowed the Brahmin boy. When Agnimukha approached Hara and
Hari, the local protectors, they advised him to seek the help of Shri Kamakshi.
Shree Kamakshi made Mahishasura, to return Gunakar and killed him. Hence, Ma
Kamaksi is called Mahishasuramardini. Agnimukha requested Shree Kamakshi to
stay permanently at Rai and bless her devotees.
Ref:
POOJAS AND
CELEBRATIONS
Apart from
regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Shukla Panchami, Dussehra, Jata
during the spring season, Maha Shivaratri, etc.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will
be kept open from 05.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The mobile number
+918322306225 may be contacted for further details.
Temple website: http://www.shreekamakshisaunsthan.org/
HOW TO REACH
37 km from Panjim
Kadamba Bus Stand, 32.7 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station, and 19 km from
Margao Railway Station, Shri Kamakshi Temple is situated in North Goa.
The nearest
Railway Station is Margao.
LOCATION OF THE
TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA
NAMA ---
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