SHRI SAPTAKOTESHWAR TEMPLE - NARVE
Pilgrimage
Distance (From Kadamba Bus Terminus): 25 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Our Lady of Piety, Divar (7.7 kms)
Trip Duration (From Our Lady of Piety, Divar , Including Travel): 1 Hour
Place Location: Narve
Transportation Options: Cab / Auto / Rental Bike
Travel Tips: This place is usually visited from Our Lady of Piety, Divar (7.7 kms)
At a distance of 25 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 50 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station and 20 km from Mapusa, Shri Saptakoteshwar Temple is situated in North Goa. The Saptakoteshwar temple at Narve is considered to be one of the six great sites of temples of Lord Shiva in the Konkan area. Saptakoteshwara was one of the chief deities of Kadmaba Dynasty of 12th Century. This temple was built by King for his wife Kamala Devi, who was great devotee of lord. Coins found from this era mention the name of the deity along with that of the King Jayakeshi.
The presiding deity of the temple is Saptakoteshwar an incarnation of Lord Shiva. According to the legend, Lord Shiva appeared at this place to grant the wishes of seven holy sages who prayed for seven crore years. This incarnation of the Lord is known as Saptakoteshwar (sapt means seven and Koteshwar means lord of crores). The original Saptakoteshwar temple was in Narve on Diwar Island build by Kadambas. In 1352 the Kadamba kingdom was conquered by the Bahmani Sultan Allauddin Hasan Gangu. A number of temples were destroyed during this period and the linga of Saptakoteshwar temple was dug up by the troops. In 1367, Vijayanagar King Hariharraya conquered Hassan Gangu's troops and restored the lost glory of Saptakoteshwar temple. After a calm of about two hundred years, the temple idol had to be removed once again to escape the marauding armies of the Portuguese conquerors. The temple was finally rebuilt at Narve by the orders of great Maratha king Shivaji in 1668.
The famous Saptakoteshwara temple is a standing specimen of medieval architectural style. The architecture is very nice to see and ancient. Only the tall lamp tower or Deepastamba is designed in a distinctive style. The Saptakoteshwar temple has a small entrance hall with bells. The main five pillared hall is decorated with arches. The ceilings of the temple are designed with intricately designed with chandeliers and the sanctorum wall is made of plain wood. The Mandapa is designed in European style. The Archamurti- Shivalinga is called ''Dhara-Linga''. The surroundings of the temple are tinged with several Brahminical laterite and stone caves. In the vicinity of it existed a Jain Math, the ruins of which are still visible. It was probably an important Jain temple patronized by the Kadamba rulers before they shifted loyalty to Sri Saptakoteshwar.
The most important festival celebrated at the temple is Gokulastami, attended by thousands of devotees from Goa and other parts of India. Though Saptakoteshwar is a Shaivite shrine, the Linga of Saptakoteshwar is considered not only the abode of Shiva but also of Vishnu, Brahma and Bhairava. Both Hari and Hara are present in the Linga. Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated on a grand scale in this temple.
Timings: 6 AM - 7 PM.
