SHRI MALLIKARJUN TEMPLE
Pilgrimage
Distance (From Panjim (Goa)): 74 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Palolem Beach (7.3 kms)
Trip Duration (From Palolem Beach , Including Travel): 1 Hour
Place Location: Sristhal Village, Near Canacona
Transportation Options: Cab / Bus / Rental Bike
Travel Tips: This place is usually visited from Palolem Beach (7.3 kms)
At a distance of 74 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 69 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station and 40 km from Margao Railway Station, Shri Mallikarjun Temple is situated in South Goa.
The Mallikarjun temple is dedicated to Lord Mallikarjun an incarnation of Lord Shiva and he is also known as Adavat Sinhasanadhishwar Mahapati Canacona among the locals. It is situated in Sristhal village which is 7 km northeast of Canacona. The shrine is known to be one of the oldest in Goa and is situated amidst beautiful natural surroundings.
The temple is at least 200 years old as per the writing on a plaque near the temple dome. The temple is believed to be constructed in the middle of the 16th century by ancestors of the Kshatriya samaj. It was rebuilt in 1778. According to legend, the location of the temple is supposed to be the place where Lord Shiva met his consort Parvati after a long separation.
The Mallikarjun Temple has more than 60 Hindu Gods idols. The architecture of the structure differs from other temples with its impressive wooden carved columns decorated with silver. The six pillars in the mandap are decorated with scenes from the Puranas and epic of Mahabharata. There are beautifully carved images of dwarpalakas (doorkeeper) on either side of the door leading to the inner sanctum.
The temple is renowned for its colorful annual festival (Jatra). During the Jatra, the idol of the deity is taken out in a procession to the nearby Kindle bag beach and the deity is bathed accompanied by other rituals. The Veeramel festival coincides with the traditional Shigmo festival held in April. Along with these festivals other festivals like Rathasaptami and Shisharani are also celebrated. These festivals attract a number of devotees to the temple throughout the year.
Timings: 6:30 AM - 8 PM.
