If you think Goa is all about beaches, pubs and churches, then you haven’t nevertheless explored its genuine splendour and you genuinely want to take up the expedition of scrutinising its corners. To your surprise, it is also home to several historic monuments, natural world sanctuaries, forests and hills. So, how about exploring the different facets of Goa this season? If you would love to journey offbeat, then plan a tour of the Tambdi Surla Mahadev Temple. The natural surroundings, architectural splendour and historic value of the temple will depart you awestruck. Well, read on to know more about this wondrous monument and how to reach it.
The most historical temple in the entire state of Goa is placed in a region referred to as Tambdi Surla which is about 65 km from the capital town of Panaji and 12 km from the border crossing post of Mollem.
Tambdi Surla itself is in the midst of a forested location handy with the aid of a 22 km route from the primary city of Valpoi in Sattari Taluka.
The temple itself is constructed in Jain fashion in the 12th century.
There are some fascinating important points about the construction itself which has led to debates about the proper origins of the temple. The temple is constructed in a location which is pretty inaccessible and away from the primary settlements of the time.
The size of the temple is pretty small as in contrast to the size of the common Goan temple. And finally, the top section of the temple has in no way been completed.
The small, beautifully carved and perfectly proportioned black basalt temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is reminiscent of the temples at Aihole in neighbouring Karnataka. The temple has survived Muslim invasions and Portuguese persecution, in its almost perfect condition mainly due to its remote location in a clearing deep in the forest at the foot of the Western Ghats which surround the site in a sheer wall of impenetrable vegetation.
The temple is located at the foot of the Anmod Ghat, which connects Goa to the state of Karnataka. It is considered to be the only specimen of Kadamba-Yadava architecture in basalt stone preserved and available in Goa.
The Kadamba dynasty ruled Goa between the tenth and fourteenth centuries and built the temple from the finest weather-resistant grey-black basalt, carried across the mountains from the Deccan plateau and lavishly carved in situ by accomplished craftsmen.
The intricate carvings created by these craftsmen adorn the interior and the sides of the building.
The temple faces east so that the rays of the rising sun fall on the deity at the crack of dawn. There is a small mandap (pillared hall) and the inner sanctum is surmounted by a three-tired tower which is incomplete or which has been dismantled sometime in the distant past.
Bas-relief figures of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma, with their respective consorts appear on panels at the sides of the temple. Surprisingly the mandap is covered with a roof of plain grey sloping slabs.
The river Surla flows nearby and can be reached via a flight of stone steps.
There is a headless Nandi (bull, Shiva’s vehicle) in the centre of the mandap, surrounded by four matching columns. The symbol of the Kadamba kingdom, an elephant trampling a horse is carved on the base of one of the columns.
There is a Linga (symbol of Lord Shiva) mounted on a pedestal inside the inner sanctum and local legend has it that a huge King Cobra is in permanent residence in the dimly lit interior.
The festival of Mahashivratri is celebrated with all pomp and gaiety at the temple by the local people residing in surrounding villages.
