Temples of Goa are more recent than the other old Hindu temples as they act as second abodes for all the gods and goddesses who were reinstated in the areas which were not under the control of the Portuguese in the early period of Inquisition and Portuguese invasion. The Portuguese Viceroy was authorized by the proclamation of 1540 to demolish all the Hindu temples and seize the temple estates for maintaining the churches which were to be constructed on those sites during the Inquisition period.
The quintessence of the Temples of Goa is the same as that of all the Hindu temples in India, which are centered on a divine being which we worship. But the architecture of the Goa temples is not like the other Hindu temples in the rest of the country mainly due to historical grounds. The basic plan of all of the Hindu temples is arranged around the “Garbagriha” where the main god is put up. A “Shikhara” or a traditional pyramid-shaped tower rises from the main place of worship. At the entrance to the “Garbagriha”, two smaller places of worship are located which house other gods and goddesses called the “Parivar Devatas”. The “Pradakshina” is open space around the “Garbagriha”. A walled and pillared big hall called “Mandapa” leads the way to the “Garbagriha”.
The Temples of Goa are a blend of the local architectural styles, which endows it with a unique local essence. The “Deepa Stambha” or the “Deepmal” or the Lamp Tower, a structure influenced by Maratha architecture, is one of the unique characteristics of the Goan Temples which rises up from two to six stories and is adorned with numerous oil lamps on festive occasions, the sight being extremely awe-inspiring. The “Dome” and the “Naubat Khana” or the small tower, are other special aspects of a typical Goan temple which are influenced by the Muslim or Mughal architectural style. “Naubat Khana” is built over the courtyard entrance where the drummer sits. The curved roofs over the “Mandapa” are influenced by the Portuguese or Christian architectural approach. For having a clear view about the Temples of Goa, browse through the following links:
