Shantadurga Kalangutkarin Temple

Shri Shantadurga (Kalangutkarin) Devasthan Nanora (शांतादुर्गा ) is a Hindu temple in Nanoda village in Bicholim taluka in Goa. The presiding deity is Shantadurga worshiped in the form of Vishweshwari; normally Shantadurga is worshipped in a Shanta form, but it is believed that after killing the demons the deity's anger was soothed and the Shanta Soumya form of fierce Durga Devi is worshiped in Goa.

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Deity

The temple is dedicated to Shantadurga, the Goddess who mediates between Vishnu and Shiva. The deity is also called 'Santeri' colloquially. Local legends tell of a battle between Shiva and Vishnu. The battle was so fierce that Lord Brahma prayed to Parvati to intervene, which she did in the form of Shantadurga. Shantadurga placed Vishnu on her right hand and Shiva on her left hand and settled the fight.

The deity of Shantadurga is shown as holding two serpents, one in each hand, representing Vishnu and Shiva. She is then said have gone to Kalangut, a village in Bardez Taluka, to helping the people in education, prosperity, good health, beauty. As a reward, she was given the name of Rudaya Mohini. She is referred to as the Goddess of Beauty, Wealth, and Prosperity.

History

The original temple was located in Calangute near Mapusa City Taluka Badez. In the 17th century, due to the forceful conversion of Portuguese, the temple was shifted to Nanora in Bicholim Taluka, where most such temples shifted.

The priests were generally from the Desai (Pirna) & Naik family, and today the Naik family members are in the management. The main priest is from the Bhuskute family (Kokanstha Brahmins). The last of the Naik priests was Dajiba Naik (Kalangutkar), who also started the first private School in the village in 1952 (later handed to the government).

Iconography

The main idol in the sanctum sanctorum is more than 800 years old and is in the form of lingam.

She is believed to be a Vegetarian goddess.

Architecture

The modern temple was constructed in the 17th century. It was repaired in the 1990s when the temple was made into a marble masterpiece. The temple has a Dipa Stambha and agrashalas (guest houses).

Devotees

The deity is believed to be patron deity of 96 Kulee Maratha, Kalavants, and Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins community spread all over India. Familiar surnames of the devotees are Sawant, Gad Desai, Naik, Kalangutkar, Desai, Gawas, Vernekar, etc. The Sawant family are spread in Assagao, Virnoda and Mapusa while Gad Desai are spread in Camurlim, Assagao, Keri, Morjim. & Desai are Settle in small Village Called in Pirna of Desai Wada, Pirna Bardez, Goa.

Festivals