There are well over 500 active and surviving Hindu temples (Devasthans) in Goa today. While the coastal talukas (Old Conquests of Bardez, Salcete, and Tiswadi) saw widespread demolitions in the 16th century, the temples in the inland talukas (New Conquests of Ponda, Bicholim, Pernem, Sattari, Sanguem, and Canacona) survived completely intact or became safe havens for relocated deities.
Because listing literally every single village shrine is impractical, here is a highly comprehensive, structured directory of the most prominent, historically significant, and culturally vital surviving Hindu temples in Goa, organized by region and historical status.
The Oldest Surviving Temples of Goa
Category 1: The "Unscathed" Ancient & Medieval Temples
These temples are historical anomalies because they were never demolished, damaged, or relocated. They survived either due to their deep, inaccessible jungle locations or because they sat in sovereign territories (ruled by the Sonde Kings or Marathas) that the Portuguese military could never conquer during their iconoclastic era.
The Mahadev Temple at Tambdi Surla is universally recognized as the oldest intact, standing temple in Goa, dating back to the 12th century (circa 1100–1200 AD). While hundreds of ancient Goan temples were demolished during religious campaigns under Kadamba, Sultanate, and Portuguese rules, a select few survived. This survival was due to either their deeply isolated jungle locations or because they sat in territories like Ponda and Bicholim, which remained outside Portuguese control until the late 18th century.
1. Mahadev Temple, Tambdi Surla (Sanguem Taluka)
- Approximate Era: 12th Century AD (circa 1100–1200 AD)
- The History: Constructed during the peak of the Kadamba-Yadava dynasty. It is the only structural stone temple from the Kadamba era that survived completely unscathed. Its survival is due to its highly remote location, tucked deep inside the dense, rugged forests at the foot of the Western Ghats.
- Architectural Style: Built using weather-resistant, heavy grey-black basalt stone, which had to be transported across the mountains from the Deccan plateau. It features exquisite carvings of Lord Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma, showcasing a distinct Kadamba-Hoysala architectural style. this ancient temple features intricate stone carvings and unique Kadamba-Yadava architecture, with a small river flowing nearby.
- Historical evidence shows that the Mahadev Temple at Tambdi Surla is the only complete, surviving Kadamba-era temple structure left standing in Goa (Built out of weather-resistant black basalt in the classic Kadamba-Yadava style). Virtually all other major structural temples built by the Kadambas in their capitals of Chandrapur and Gopakapattanam were razed during the 14th-century Islamic raids and the subsequent 16th-century Portuguese conquest.
This 12th-century masterpiece is Goa's oldest surviving temple. Built out of weather-resistant black basalt in the classic Kadamba-Yadava style, it was entirely spared from destruction because it was hidden deep within the dense jungles of the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. Inside, you can still see an active Shiva Linga and an intricately carved ceiling.
2. Shri Chandreshwar Bhoothnath Temple (Paroda, Quepem Taluka)
- Approximate Era: Site dates to the 4th–5th Century AD; structure modified over time.
- The History: Perched atop the rugged Chandranath Hill, this is historically one of Goa's oldest recorded religious sites. Inscriptions verify that the ancient Bhoja Kings of Goa named their 4th-century capital, Chandrapur (modern-day Chandor), directly after this specific deity.
- Unique Phenomenon: The ancient inner sanctum houses a natural rock Shivalinga. It is meticulously designed so that on full moon nights (Pornima), the moonlight shines directly through a calculated roof opening to naturally illuminate the stone deity.
- Perched atop Chandranath Hill, this pre-Christian site dates back to the 4th-century Bhoja Kings of Goa.
3. Shri Nagesh Maharudra Temple (Bandora, Ponda Taluka)
- Approximate Era: 15th Century AD (Inscriptions track it safely to 1413 AD)
- The History: This temple is a rare historical anomaly because it is one of the very few mid-sized village temples in the western lowlands that was never demolished or relocated. Because the village of Bandora sat inside territory controlled by the Sonde Kings (who protected Hindu shrines), Portuguese armies could not cross the river borders to destroy it.
- Key Artifacts: It houses a highly valuable 1413 AD stone inscription from the Vijayanagar empire era, which records local land donations made directly to the temple.
- A 15th-century temple that remained completely safe under the protection of the Sonde Kings. It features an intact 1413 AD Vijayanagar stone inscription.
4. Shri Mallikarjun Temple (Canacona)
An ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, believed to have been established in the 16th century by Kshatriya communities, deep in southernmost Goa. It is famous for its heavily carved wooden pillars.
5. Shri Kalika Devi Temple
A historic temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, safely patronized by local artisans and metalworkers for centuries without colonial interference.
Comparative Summary Matrix
| Temple Name | Primary Deity | Historical Founder / Patron | Survival / Reconstruction Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tambdi Surla | Lord Shiva (Mahadev) | Kadamba Dynasty Ministers | Completely intact original 12th-century structure. |
| Chandreshwar | Lord Shiva (Bhoothnath) | Bhoja Kings of Goa | Ancient cave site; modern exterior shell additions. |
| Shri Nagesh | Lord Shiva (Nageshwar) | Vijayanagar Empire Lords | Completely intact 15th-century structural foundation. |
| Saptakoteshwar | Lord Shiva (Saptakoteshwar) | Rebuilt by Chhatrapati Shivaji |
Category 2: The Famous Relocated Temples (The Ponda/Mardol Circuit)
This cluster represents the spiritual heartland of modern Goan Hinduism. These temples house the major deities that were smuggled across the Zuari and Mandovi rivers in the 1560s from the coastal areas to the safe, forested valleys of Ponda (then under Bijapur/Sonde rule).
| Temple Name & Location | Primary Deity | Original Coastal Village (Pre-1560s) | Key Cultural Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shri Manguesh Temple (Priol) | Lord Shiva (Manguesh) | Cortalim (Kushasthali) | Features a iconic 7-story white Deepstambha (lamp tower); Goa's most visited temple. |
| Shri Shantadurga Temple (Kavlem) | Goddess of Peace | Quelossim (Keloshi) | A massive, palace-style complex built in the 1730s under Maratha royal patronage. |
| Shri Mahalasa Narayani (Mardol) | Lord Vishnu (Mohini Avatar) | Verna (Varunapur) | Famous for its towering 21-tier brass hanging lamp (Samai) and ornate wood art. |
| Shri Ramnathi Temple (Bandora) | Lord Shiva (Ramnath) | Loutolim (Loutoli) | Houses a unique shared assembly of family deities (Panchayatana). |
| Shri Laxmi Narasimha (Veling) | Lord Narasimha & Laxmi | Sancoale (Sankhavali) | Celebrated for its tranquil, palm-fringed ancient stepped water tank (Pushkarni). |
| Shri Vijayadurga Temple (Kerim) | Goddess of Victory | Sancoale (Sankhavali) | Set inside a dense spice-growing valley; features a distinct pink and white facade. |
| Shri Navdurga Temple (Madkai) | Goddess Durga | Kundaim / Coastal borders | Famous for its annual Zatra where the neck of the stone idol is seen slightly tilted. |
| Shri Kamakshi Temple (Siroda) | Goddess Kamakshi | Raia (Salcete) | Re-established in a beautiful valley; features unique elephant carvings at the entrance gate. |
| Shri Mahalakshmi Temple (Bandora) | Goddess of Wealth | Colva (Salcete) | Houses a rare, ancient stone idol of Mahalakshmi wearing a linga-shaped crown. |
Category 3: Major Surviving Temples of North Goa (Bicholim, Pernem, & Sattari)
The northernmost talukas remained under the control of the independent Sawantwadi Bhonsle rulers and Marathas for centuries, allowing local architecture and ancient community shrines to flourish safely.
1. Shri Saptakoteshwar Temple (Narve, Bicholim Taluka) 
2. Shree Devi Lairaee Devasthan Temple The spiritual home of Goddess Lairai. It is globally famous for the intense Shirgao Zatra, where thousands of dhoti-clad devotees (Dhonds) walk barefoot across a massive bed of glowing, white-hot coal embers. 3. Shri Brahma Temple A magnificent, highly detailed 12th-century stone idol of the four-headed Lord Brahma. It was smuggled out of Carambolim (Tiswadi) in the 1540s and hidden deep in the dense forests of Valpoi/Sattari. It is one of the very few standalone active Brahma temples in India 4. Shri Devi Bhagavati Temple  A sprawling temple complex that safely survived centuries of regional border shifts. The primary idol of Goddess Bhagavati Ashtabhuj (eight-armed) is carved out of a single block of black stone and stands over 5 feet tall. 5. Morjai Mandir  An ancient coastal temple dedicated to Kanakeshwar Maharudra and Sri Morjee, deeply tied to local fishing communities and environmental folklore. Category 4: Major Surviving Temples of South Goa (Quepem & Sanguem)
Category 5: Historical Surviving Shrines Hidden in the "Old Conquests" While almost all large temples in Panaji, Margao, and Mapusa were leveled, a few small, discrete, or later rebuilt shrines survived in plain sight: 1. Shri Damodar Sal A historic house sanctuary that safely preserved the footprint symbols and spiritual essence of Lord Damodar inside a private family residence when the main temple was destroyed in 1564. 2. Shri Mahalakshmi Temple Originally a small, clandestine shrine hidden by devotees during the height of the Inquisition, it was later officially permitted to be built into a grand public temple in 1818 when Portuguese anti-Hindu laws were finally relaxed. | |||
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