Navadurga Temple Madkai

Getting there

• By air

  All flights to and from Goa use Dabolim airport near Vasco-da-Gama, which the Indian Navy owns. It is about 30 km from Panaji.

• By train

  Margao and Vasco-da-Gama are Goa's two main railway stations, both in the south of the state.

• By road

  Goa is linked to major towns in India by national highways NH4A, NH17 and NH17A. State-owned Kadamba Transport Corporation buses serve neighbouring states.

Why devotees come here

Madkai is a census town in Ponda taluka, North Goa district. The Navdurga Temple here is known for its idol of Devi Navadurga, which has a tilted head. Its seven-day Jatrotsav is held in the Hindu month of Kartik.

Devi Navadurga is seated in the sanctum on a flat pedestal, in the Mahishasuramardini form. Local legend says the idol's neck tilted to the left in a gesture of affirmation, and stayed fixed in that position. Local stories say the permanent shrine was placed where a thrown coconut landed, in the Duthal ward.

In Ganshi, the settlers consecrated an image of their patron deity, Devi Navadurga. During Portuguese rule, when Hinduism was discouraged, the Hindu villagers moved their revered deity to Madkai to protect it. Later, administrative splits divided the community, and Kundaim installed its own replica in the Dasol ward.

The temple stands at the base of a hill and faces west. In 2016 the managing committee decided to replace the idol, saying it had cracks. Villagers opposed the decision, and the case has gone to court more than once.

Festivals

• Kartik Vadya Chaturthi to Dasami, seven daysJatrotsav

  The grandest celebration. Kartik Navami, the ninth day, is its main day and is marked by fasting.

• Around November, on Kartik Shukla Paksha AshtamiZatra

  Also called the Zatra of Navdurga, or just Zatra.

• Every nightShibikotsav

  A regular palanquin festival held at the temple.

• For 10 to 15 days after the main weekKhalillo Puja

  A public worship phase that follows the main celebration.

Tips for your visit

• Buses in rural areas may make unscheduled stops, not only at the bus-stand.
• Madkai and Kundaim each have a Navdurga temple, so confirm the village before you set off.

Questions people ask