MAHA GANAPATI MANDIR - KHANDOLA
Pilgrimage
Distance (From Kadamba Bus Terminus): 19 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Shri Laxmi Ravalnath Devasthan, Marcela (1 km)
Trip Duration (From Shri Laxmi Ravalnath Devasthan, Marcela , Including Travel): 30 Mins
Place Location: Khandola
Transportation Options: Cab / Auto / Rental Bike
Travel Tips: This place is usually visited from Shri Laxmi Ravalnath Devasthan, Marcela (1 km)
At a distance of 19 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 35 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station and 33 km from Mapusa, Shri Mahaganapati Temple is situated in North Goa.
Shri Mahaganapati Temple is located in Candola or Khandola village of Ponda Taluka. This temple is one of the oldest temples in Goa. This Temple is dedicated to the Elephant god Lord Ganesha. The original temple was located on the island of Divar, area adjoining the Church of Our Lady of Piedade. After it was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1540 the devotees of lord Ganesha moved the idol to Khandepar in Ponda Taluka later Narve in Bicholim Taluka and finally to Khandola in 1750.
Once, the temple committee decided to replace the old 13th Century idol with a new one. But during the ceremony the Lord demanded a permanent place in the temple. So the old idol was retained alongside the new one. Today we can see two idols in the garbagriha, the new idol established in 1969 and the old 13th century idol which is to the left of the new idol.
The main festival celebrated here is Sankashti Chaturthi.
