Kamal Guha at 10:19, 21 November 2023

2023-11-21T10:19:35Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
{{More footnotes|date=July 2014}}

A '''Goan temple''' is known as a ''dēvūḷ'' (देवूळ) or ''sansthān'' (संस्थान) in the [[Konkani language]]. These temples were once the centres of villages, cities, and all the other social, cultural and economic gatherings in [[Goa]]. These were known as ''grāmasansthā''s (ग्रामसंस्था) in Konkani.

==History==
A temple in Goa was once always the centre of a village (and in cases still is), and the lives of people were related to these temples and their festivals. The village property was divided amongst the villagers according to certain rules. The patrons of the temples are known as ''Mahajana'' and for the most part hail from [[Konkani Brahmins|Brahmin]] communities with a few from [[Kshatriya]] communities. This ''Mahajani'' system was once responsible for temple upkeep.

==Deities==
[[File:Kamakshi devi.jpg|thumb|[[Murti]] of Kamakshidevi, Shri Kamakshi Saunsthan, Shiroda in the [[Garbhagriha|Garbhagruha]]]]
Goan temples are strictly devoted to the worship of [[Panchayatana puja|Panchyatan]] devised by [[Adi Shankara]]. The following sholka says :

आदित्यं गणनाथंच देविम् रुद्रं च केशवं |
पंच देवताम् इत्युक्तं सर्ववर्मसु पुजयेत् ||

The following deities constitute a ''Panchayatana'':
* [[Devi]] ( e.g. [[Shantadurga]], [[Bhagavati]], Navadurga, Mahalakshmi, etc. )
* [[shiva|Rudra]] or Ishwara ( e.g.Manguesh, Nagesh, Shivnath, Damodar, Gananatha )
* [[ganapati|Ganesh]] ( e.g. Mahaganapati )
* [[Narayana|Keshava]] ( e.g. Lakshmi Narayana )
* [[sun|Aaditya]] ( e.g. Surya Narayana )
In addition to these deities following deities are also worshipped.
* [[Kulpurush]] - Family Ancestor
* [[Ravalnath]]
* [[Chandreshwar bhootnath|Bhutnath]]
* [[Gram Purush]]
* [[Kshetrapala|Kshetrapal]]

==Architecture==
[[File:Goa2009p051-600x401.jpg|200px|thumb|right|An ancient Goan Temple - Mahadev Tambdi Surla]]
Most of the original temples in Goa were demolished by the Muslim and Portuguese rulers, and the artisan castes in the [[Velhas Conquistas]] responsible for temple construction converted to Christianity during Portuguese rule.<ref name=kavi>{{cite book|last=Kamat|first=Krishnanand|title=Konkanyali Kavikala|publisher=Goa Konkani Akademi|location=Panaji}}</ref> The pre-Islamic ancient temples were made of sedimentary rocks, stones, wood and limestone. Black stone temples built in the [[Kadamba Dynasty|Kadamba]] and [[Hemadpanti architecture|Hemadpanti]] styles are very rare. Only one ancient temple of Goa exists today in its original style, namely the [[Mahadev Temple, Tambdi Surla|Mahadev Temple]]. The few unconverted Hindu Brahmin families in the Velhas Conquistas emigrated to other places with the deity idols, and new temples were built to house these idols. The present day Goan temples are of [[Hindu temple architecture#Various styles of architecture|Nagara]] architecture with some alterations, this kind of architecture is unique in [[India]].

A water tank called as a ''Tali'' or a ''Tallay'' is usually seen at the main entrance of the temple. A large ''Praveshdwar'' or the main entrance, with a ''Nagar Khana'' is a very distinct feature of Goan temples. A ''Deepa stambha'' is an integral part of the temple.
Other related buildings with the temple:
*[[Agrashala]]
*[[Bhojanshala]]
*[[Yagnya-shala]]
*[[Vahanshala]]
* Related offices
* Nagarkhana

The temples are usually painted in white or other light colours, and usually are covered with clay tiles. A Golden [[Kalasha]] is also seen.

The parts of the temple:
* Sabhamandapa
* Antarala
* Chowk
* Garbhagruha ( ''Garbhakud'' in Konkani )
* Sarvalli ( Pradakshina marga )

The temples have wooden carvings depicting epics like [[Ramayana]] and [[Mahabharata]]. The Garbhagruha is usually studded with silver and main idol is made of black stone and sometimes [[Shaligrama]]. A Goan Konkani temple contains two murtis, one is a ''Mula Murti'' to which the ''alankar'' (adornment) is usually done and which is of ancient origin and the ''Utsava Murti'' which is displayed in the temple premises. The ''Utsava murti''s are made of silver, gold or sometimes alloys. An alloy ''Prasad Murti'' is also seen.
The Chowk pillars are usually wooden with explicit carvings. The roof is also studded with paintings and chandeliers. Huge bells are hung at the entrance of the Chowk. This place is considered very sacred.

==Festivals==
[[File:Palkhi at Mahalasa temple, Goa.jpg|thumb|Palakhi]]
The following festivals are celebrated in all the Goan temples:
* Jatra
* Palakhi Utsav
* Navratri
* Tarangotsav, Dasarotsav
* Samvatsar (Saunsar) Padvo
* Gulalotsav
*[[Shigmo]]

==Related people==
*Mahajans
*Kulavis
*Pujari
*Abhisheki (Purohits)
*Puranik
*Haridas
*[[Devdasi]] (Bhavin, Kalavant)(see: [[Gomantak Maratha Samaj]])
*Vajantri
*Mest
*Karbhari
*Bhajak
*Mahale

==See also==
*[[Temples of Goa]] Photo Gallery
*[[Hindu temple architecture]]
*[[List of temples in Goa]]
*[[Vahanas used in Goan temples]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* Abram, David. ''Goa'', 5th edition. Rough Guides, 2003, p. 110
* Gomes, Rui Pereira. ''Hindu Temples and deities''
* Gune, Vithal Trimbak. ''Gazetteer of the Union Territory Goa, Daman and Diu''. Goa, Daman and Diu (India) Gazetteer Dept.

[[Category:Hinduism in Goa]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Goa]]
[[Category:Konkani]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Goa]]

{{Hindu temples in Goa}}

Goan temple - Revision history

Kamal Guha at 10:19, 21 November 2023