Shri Damodar Sansthaan, Goa
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| Shri Damodar Saunsthan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | South Goa district |
| Deity | Shiva, Vishnu |
| Festivals | Rama Navami, Shivratri, Padwa (Hindu new year), Akshaya Tritiya, Anant Vritotsava, Navaratri, Dussera, Diwali, Magha Poornima Festival (Jatrotsav) and Mahashivratri |
| Governing body | Shri Damodar Saunsthan |
| Location | |
| Location | Zambaulim, Quepem, Goa 403705 |
| State | Goa |
| Country | India |
  Location in Goa  Shri Damodar Sansthaan, Goa (India) | |
| Geographic coordinates | 15°11′12″N 74°05′41″E / 15.1866443°N 74.0948358°E |
Shri Damodar Temple Zambaulim or Shri Damodara Sansthaan is a Hindu temple on the bank of the Kushawati River[1] near the village of Zambaulim 22 km from the city of Margao on the border of Quepem region (Quepem taluk) in the south of Goa. The temple houses a celebrated murti, or image, of Lord Shiva incarnated as Lord Damodar.[2]
History
The deity was originally based in a temple in Mathagam, now Madgaon or Margao, where the Holy Spirit Church now stands. Due to the temple destruction campaign started by the Portuguese rulers in Sasashti Taluka in the year 1567, the Mahajans from Madgaon shifted the local deities (Shree Ramnath, Damodar, Laxmi-Narayan, Chamundeshwari, Mahakali, Mahesh, etc.) to Zambaulim. The Desais of Rivona helped the Mahajans and gave them land for the construction of temples as well as Vatan which is being paid even today.
Description
Besides the murti of Lord Damodar, revered by Hindus and Catholics alike, Chamundeshwari (the fierce form of Shakti, a tutelary deity), Mahakali (the Hindu goddess of time and death, considered to be the consort of Shiva the god of consciousness, and as the basis of reality and existence) and Mahesha (another incarnation of Lord Shiva) are also honoured at this place.
The Shree Damodar temple belongs to the GSB community (Gowda Saraswath Brahmins). Accommodation facilities are available in the temple complex for the community members.
Observances
The main festival celebrated in Shri Damodar Temple is Shigmo, the Goan Hindu spring festival of colours, which lasts for one week only. During the festival the Panair takes place and the folkloric show within which all participants exchange gulals (powders of different colours) with each other and organise various feasts and tablefuls.
The temple also celebrates Kartik Poornima, Ashwin Poornima, and Mahashivratri.
Notes and references
- ^ Hindus believe that the Kushawati River is sacred and that its healing powers help to get rid of various body ailments.
- ^ Rodrigues, Maria de Lourdes Bravo da Costa (2004). Feasts, festivals, and observances of Goa. L & L Publications. p. 43.