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 grāmasansthās (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 Brahmin communities with a few from Kshatriya communities. This Mahajani system was once responsible for temple upkeep.
Deities
Murti of Kamakshidevi, Shri Kamakshi Saunsthan, Shiroda in the Garbhagruha
Goan temples are strictly devoted to the worship of Panchyatan devised by Adi Shankara. The following sholka says :
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 murtis are made of silver, gold or sometimes alloys. An alloy Prasad Murti is also seen.
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.[1]
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 Nagara architecture with some alterations.
Materials used
The pre-Islamic ancient temples were made of sedimentary rocks, stones, wood and limestone. Black stone temples built in the Kadamba and Hemadpanti styles are very rare. Only one ancient temple of Goa exists today in its original style, namely the Mahadev Temple.
The temples are usually painted in white or other light colours, and usually are covered with clay tiles. A Golden Kalasha is also seen.
Main elements of Temple
The salient parts of the Goan temple are:
Sabhamandapa
Antarala
Chowk: 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.
Garbhagruha (Garbhakud in Konkani): The Garbhagruha is usually studded with silver and main idol is made of black stone and sometimes Shaligrama.
Sarvalli (Pradakshina marga)
Tali or a Tallay: A water tank that is usually seen at the main entrance of the temple.
A large Praveshdwar or the main entrance,
Deepa stambha is an integral part of the temple.
The temples have wooden carvings depicting epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata.
A Nagar Khana is a very distinct feature of Goan temples.
