March 23, 2020

My TripAdvisor Review No.640: Tambdi Surla Mahadev Temple, Sanguem, Goa.

Hidden Gem Of A Temple In The Forest.

On the drive out from Colva back to Pune we decided to visit the Mahadev Temple in the forests of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary. We had to take a left turn off the Anmod Ghat Highway, at Dharbandora, and drive along a narrow forested road of the sanctuary for 23 km. The road was very smooth and scenic through tiny villages and giant trees on both sides. It took us about half an hour to get to the temple parking area from Dharbandora.

The small temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and was built in the 12th century by the Kadambas, and is one of the only Hindu temples to have survived the ravages of the Muslim and Portuguese invaders of Goa, in its original form. The presiding deity in the form of a Lingam is mounted on a pedestal in the inner sanctum. Bas-relief figures of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma, with their respective consorts appear on panels at the sides of the temple. There is a headless Nandi Bull at the centre of the mandap. The temple is surrounded by well kept lawns and plenty of greenery and is maintained by the ASI. A small river runs by the temple.

The temple is a short walk from the parking area through a well kept pathway. There are some small snacks and drinks stalls and a public washroom near the parking lot. The temple does not have many other commercial stalls selling puja offerings, nor any pujaris and beggars trying to relieve you of your belongings, so it is a very good place for a pure darshan of the Gods, either in the form of stone or natural beauty. Beware of the friendly monkeys though.
Date of experience: December 2019

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