Saptakoteshwar Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Dabolim Airport (GOI) is the nearest airport. Manohar International Airport (GOX) in North Goa is also listed as nearby.

• By train

  The nearest railway station is Madgaon Junction (MAO).

• By road

  Narve is about 35 km from Panaji. The route needs a ferryboat from Divar island.

Why devotees come here

Saptakoteshwar Temple stands at Narve, Bicholim, in Goa. Shiva is worshipped here as Saptakoteshwar, and it is considered one of six great Shiva temple sites in the Konkan area. The Kadamba kings patronised it, and Shivaji Maharaj later restored it.

Saptakoteshwar is a form of Shiva. The shrine is also known as Sapta-natha. The Kadamba kings took Saptakoteshwar as their family deity. Legend says the shrine was first set up at Naroa on Divar island by the seven sages, the Saptarishi. After long worship by the sages, lasting what the legend counts as seven karors of years, Shiva agreed to stay at the site.

Records say Madhava Mantri rebuilt the temple by the end of the 14th century. The current structure was commissioned by the Maratha ruler Shivaji in 1668. Its shallow Mughal-style dome sits on an octagonal drum. The roofs slope and are tiled. The complex has the main temple and three smaller temples.

The temple was taken up for restoration in 2019, which marked 350 years since Shivaji's restoration. The restored temple was completed and set for inauguration on 11 February 2023. The restoration covered the temple and its precinct. Near the temple is the Panchaganga Tirtha tank, where devotees bathe on Shiva's birthday.

Festivals

• On Shiva's birthdayPanchaganga Tirtha bathing

  Devotees bathe in the Panchaganga Tirtha tank near the temple on this day.

Tips for your visit

• Look up at the tall lamp tower, and at the European-style mandapa, or assembly hall.
• The three smaller temples in the complex hold bronze images of Gauri, Chandrashekhar, Shrinivasa and Laxmi.

Questions people ask