NAGESH TEMPLE
A narrow winding lane dips down from Farmagudi to this tiny hamlet and its temple dedicated to shiva as Nagesh (God of Serpents). The temple’s origin is put at 1413 by an inscribed tablet here, though the temple was refurbished in the 18th century. The temple tank, which is well stocked with carp, is enclosed by a white-outlined laterite block wall and surrounded by shady palms. The five-storey lamp tower near the temple has brightly coloured deities painted in niches just above the base, the main mandapa (assembly hall) has interesting painted wood carvings illustrating stories from the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata below the ceiling line, as well as the Ashta dikpalas, the eight Directional Guardians (Indra, Agni, Nirritti Varuna, Vayu, Kubera and Ishana). The principal deity has the usual Nandi and in addition there are shrines to Ganesh and Lakshma-Narayan and subsidiary shrines with lingams, in the courtyard.
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Shree Nagesh temple is located at a distance of approximately 35 kilometers from Panjim in village of Bandora, about 4 kilometers from Ponda city. The temple sabha mandap has a gallery on both sides that contains exquisite specimen of intricate wood carving of the events of Ramayana on one side and wooden images of Astadikpal and Gandharvas on the other. This temple has a pyramid tiled roof and domes. The lamp tower or “Deepa stambha” is a five storied structure. The temple reflects beautifully in the water tank which is located in front of the temple.
Antiquity of the Temple
In ancient days this deity was known as Nagnath, as stated in a copper plate, bearing the year 1222 Saka (1300 AD). It unarguably proves the temples antiquity since there is an inscription in the compound of the Devastan. It makes reference to a gift of lands named after ‘Veda khandikechem Kulgar’, ‘Nagzri Mallo, paddy field & ‘Ravi Kulgar’ in favour of the deities of Shri Nagesh & Shri Mahalaxmi for sevas on officier of the kingdom, in the year 1413 A.D. or 1335 Saka, during the rule of King Veer Pratap Devaraya of Vijay Nagar. Idols of Shiva-Paravati and Ganesh have been found in the compound of the temple. The sculpture of these idols make the Archaeologists evident that they belong to the Seventh and Eighth century respectively. Therefore, it is distinct that the temple existed here even before the Seventh Century.
A narrow winding lane dips down from Farmagudi to this tiny hamlet and its temple dedicated to shiva as Nagesh (God of Serpents). The temple’s origin is put at 1413 by an inscribed tablet here, though the temple was refurbished in the 18th century. The temple tank, which is well stocked with carp, is enclosed by a white-outlined laterite block wall and surrounded by shady palms. The five-storey lamp tower near the temple has brightly coloured deities painted in niches just above the base, the main mandapa (assembly hall) has interesting painted wood carvings illustrating stories from the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata below the ceiling line, as well as the Ashta dikpalas, the eight Directional Guardians (Indra, Agni, Nirritti Varuna, Vayu, Kubera and Ishana). The principal deity has the usual Nandi and in addition there are shrines to Ganesh and Lakshma-Narayan and subsidiary shrines with lingams, in the courtyard.
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Shree Nagesh temple is located at a distance of approximately 35 kilometers from Panjim in village of Bandora, about 4 kilometers from Ponda city. The temple sabha mandap has a gallery on both sides that contains exquisite specimen of intricate wood carving of the events of Ramayana on one side and wooden images of Astadikpal and Gandharvas on the other. This temple has a pyramid tiled roof and domes. The lamp tower or “Deepa stambha” is a five storied structure. The temple reflects beautifully in the water tank which is located in front of the temple.
Antiquity of the Temple
In ancient days this deity was known as Nagnath, as stated in a copper plate, bearing the year 1222 Saka (1300 AD). It unarguably proves the temples antiquity since there is an inscription in the compound of the Devastan. It makes reference to a gift of lands named after ‘Veda khandikechem Kulgar’, ‘Nagzri Mallo, paddy field & ‘Ravi Kulgar’ in favour of the deities of Shri Nagesh & Shri Mahalaxmi for sevas on officier of the kingdom, in the year 1413 A.D. or 1335 Saka, during the rule of King Veer Pratap Devaraya of Vijay Nagar. Idols of Shiva-Paravati and Ganesh have been found in the compound of the temple. The sculpture of these idols make the Archaeologists evident that they belong to the Seventh and Eighth century respectively. Therefore, it is distinct that the temple existed here even before the Seventh Century.