1035 – Shanta Durga Mandir

Shantadurga Temple is a large temple complex 33 km (21 mi) from Panaji at the foothill of Kavalem village in Ponda Taluka, Goa, India.

The temple is dedicated to Shantadurga, the goddess who mediates between Vishnu and Shiva. The deity is also called ‘Santeri’ colloquially. Local legends tell of a battle between Shiva and Vishnu The battle was so fierce that Lord Brahma prayed to Parvati to intervene, which she did in the form of Shantadurga. Shantadurga placed Vishnu on her right hand and Shiva on her left hand and settled the fight.

The deity of Shantadurga is shown as holding two serpents, one in each hand, representing Vishnu and Shiva. She is then said have gone to Sankhwal a village in Salcette Taluka to kill the demons that were harassing the Brahmins. As a reward, she was given the name of Vijaya. Shri Vijayadurga shrine was located in Sankhwal along with Shri Shantadurga and Shri LakshmiNarsimha but was later shifted to a place called Kerim in Ponda Taluka during the Portuguese invasions.

Shantadurga is the Kuldevi (family deity) of many Konkani Saraswats, Karhade Brahmins, Maharishi saraswatis (Mahe Gotra) and Vishyawani from (Kokan region of Maharastra and Goa) Bhandaris.

Source: Wikipedia

  • Place: Shanta Durga Temple, Goa, India
  • Date: 27 August 2011
  • Camera: Nikon D7000
  • Lens: Nikkor 18-200 mm
  • Focal Length: 18.0 mm
  • Aperture: f/6.3
  • Exposure Time: 1/400
  • ISO: 800

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.