SHRI DAMODAR TEMPLE - ZAMBAULIM
Pilgrimage
Distance (From Panjim (Goa)): 54 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Panjim (Goa)
Trip Duration (From Panjim (Goa), Including Travel): 4 Hours/Half Day
Place Location: Zambaulim
Transportation Options: Cab / Bus / Rental Bike
Travel Tips: None
At a distance of 54 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 49 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station and 19 km from Margao Railway Station, Shri Damodar Temple is situated in South Goa.
The Shri Damodar Temple is one of the most beautiful and famous architectural constructions in Goa. It stands on the bank of Kushawati River near the Zambaulim Village on the border of Quepem Taluka. Hindus believe that the Kushawati River has healing powers help to get rid of various body ailments.
This famous temple is dedicated to lord Damodar an incarnation of lord Shiva. The deity was originally based in a temple where the Holy Spirit Church in Margao now stands and was moved to escape from the Portuguese inquisition in 1565 when the temple was destroyed and the church was built on its site. Both Hindus as well as the Catholics alike revere it. It was originally founded in Mathagram later known as Madgaon.
Due to the temple destruction campaign started by the Portuguese rulers in Salecete Taluka in the year 1567, the Mahajans from Madgaon shifted the local deities Shree Ramnath, Damodar, Laxmi Narayan, Chamundeshwari, Mahakali and Mahesha to Zambaulim. The Desais of Rivona helped the Mahajans and gave them land for the construction of temples as well as Vatan which is being paid even today. The Shree Damodar temple belongs to GSB community (Gowda Saraswath Brahmins). There is also an idol of Lakshmi Narayana inside the sanctum. There are shrines for Goddess Chamundeshwari and Shiva on either side of the main temple.
The main festival celebrated in Shri Damodar Temple is called Shigmo. This is a Goa Hindu spring festival of colors, which lasts for one week only. During the festival the Panair takes place and the folkloric show within which all participants are exchanging gulals (powders of different colors) with each other and organize various feasts.
Timings: 5:30 AM - 9:45 PM.
