Goan Temple Institute

Goan Temple InstitutionA temple is called as "Deul" ( देवूळ ) or a "Sausthan"( संस्थान ) in Konkani.In days of yore the temple used to be the centre of the village or city, and all the other social ,cultural and economic gatherings in Goa. This Institute was called as "Gramasanstha" ( ग्रामसंस्था ) in Konkani or "Communidades" in Portuguese.

History

Since days of yore a temple in Goa always used to be the centre of the village ( and still it continues to be ),the lives of people were related to temples and its festivals.The village property of divided amongst the villagers according to some rules.The patrons of the temple were and are still called as "Mahajana" and are mostly from Brahmin communites and few from Kshatriya community.This "Mahajani" system used to look after all the temple chores.

The Deities

Goan temples are strictly devoted to the worship of Panchyatan devised by Adi Shankara.The following sholka says :

आदित्यं गणनाथंच देविम् रुद्रं च केशवं
पंच देवताम् इत्युक्तं सर्ववर्मसु पुजयेत् |

The following deities constitue a "Panchayatana":
* Devi ( eg. Shantadurga,Bhagavati , Navadurga, Mahalakshmi, etc )
* Rudra or Ishwara ( eg. Nagesh,Sivnath )
* Gananatha ( eg. Mahaganapati )
* Keshava ( eg. Lakshmi Narayana )
* Aaditya ( eg. Surya Narayana )In addition to these deities following deities are also worshipped.
* Ravalnath
* Bhutnath
* Gram Purush
* Kshetrapal

The temple architecture

All the original temples in Goa were demolished by the Portuguese, and all the patrons migrated to other places with the deity idols.The original goan temples were made of black stone and were basically built in Kadamba and Hemadpanti style.The present day goan temples are a mixture of Nagari,Dravidian,Islamic and Portuguese architecture , this kind of architecture is unique in India.this blend of all the architecture gives them a uique feel,off beat from other temples.the temples are very huge,spacious,surrounded by Agrashalas.A water tank called as a "Tali" or a "Tallay" is usually seen at the main entrace of the temple.A huge "Praveshdwar" or the main entrance ,with a "Nagar Khana" is a very distinct feature of Goan temples.A "Deepa stambha" is an integral part of the temple.Other related buildings with the temple :
*Agrashala
*Bhojanshala
*Yagashala
*Vahanshala
* Related offices
* Nagarkhana

The temples are usually painted in white or other light colours, and usually are covered with clay tiles.A Golden Kalasha is also seen.

The parts of the temple:
* Sabhamantapa
* Antarala
* Chowk
* Garbhagruha ( "Garbhakud" in Konkani )
* Sarvalli ( Pradakshina marga )

The temples have wooden carvings depicting epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata.The Garbhagruha is usually studded with silver and main idol is made of black stone of some times Shaligrama.The "Utsava murti"s are made of Silver,Gold or some times alloys.An alloy "Prasad Murti" is also seen .

The Chowk pillars are usually wooden with explicit carvings.The roof is also studded with paintings and chandeliars.Huge bells are hung at the entrance of the Chowk. This place is considered very sacred .

Temple and the festivals

The following festivals are celebrated in all the goan temples:
* Jatra
* Palakhi Utsav
* Navratri
* Tarangotsav ,Dasarotsav
* Samvatsar ( Saunsar ) Pavdo
* Gulalotsav
*Shigmo

Temple and related people

*Pujari
*Abhisheki
*Puranik
*Haridas
*Devdasi ( Bhavin , Kalavant )
*Vajantri
*Mest
*Karbhari

ee also

*Jatra
*Shigmo
*Agrashala
*List of Temples in Goa
*Vahanas used in Goan temples
*Hindu temple architecture