350-year-old Shree Saptakoteshwar Temple in Goa: as soon as destroyed by Bahamanis and Portuguese, now renovated with govt efforts

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Goa authorities on renovating the historic Shree Saptakoteshwar Temple. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant inaugurated the renovated temple on February 11. The temple was constructed by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj over 300 years in the past at Narve Village within the district of North Goa, round 35 KMs away from the capital Panaji.

In a tweet, PM Modi stated, “The renovated Shree Saptakoteshwar Devasthan, Narve, Bicholim will deepen the connection of our youth with our spiritual traditions. It will also further boost tourism in Goa.”

The renovated Shree Saptakoteshwar Devasthan, Narve, Bicholim will deepen the join of our youth with our religious traditions. It can even additional increase tourism in Goa. https://t.co/b32tNzz9BB

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 11, 2023

The temple was inaugurated within the presence of a descendant of Shivaji Maharaj and MLA from Satara, Maharashtra, Shivendra Raje Bhosle. The state Archives and Archaeology Department has carried out the renovation work of the temple.

Home Miniter Amit Shah additionally congratulated the Pramod Sawant authorities. He stated, “Congratulations to the Goa government on the reopening of the historic Shree Saptakoteshwar Temple after renovation. After being attacked by multiple invaders, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj rebuilt the temple. As a major pilgrimage site, it will draw tourists from all over India.”

Congratulations to the Goa authorities on the reopening of the historic Shree Saptakoteshwar Temple after renovation.

After being attacked by a number of invaders, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj rebuilt the temple. As a significant pilgrimage website, it can draw vacationers from throughout India. https://t.co/XX61MKPGqI

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 11, 2023

In a tweet, Dr Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, stated, “The renovated Shree Saptakoteshwar Devasthan, Narve, Bicholim will deepen the connection of our youth with our spiritual traditions. It will also further boost tourism in Goa.”

A divine celebration of the auspicious event of the inauguration of Shri Saptakoteshwar Temple on its restoration. pic.twitter.com/TXKgPxfhT0

— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) February 12, 2023

He spoke in regards to the temple’s historical past: “A divine celebration of the auspicious occasion of the inauguration of Shri Saptakoteshwar Temple on its restoration.”

I’m honored to be a part of a historic event in Goa, the dedication of the renovated Shree Saptakoteshwar Devasthan, Narve, Bicholim to folks. 1/5 pic.twitter.com/eZvOFiOnQU

— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) February 11, 2023

He added, “The temple will be dedicated to the people after the performance of due religious rituals and in the presence of descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.” Notably, the temple was initially positioned at Naroa, Diwar, Tiswadi. The historical past of the temples goes again to Kadamba Dynasty. Bahmani rulers within the 1300s first destroyed it. CM Sawant stated, “Shri Saptakoteshwar is the ‘Raj Daivat’ of Goa. The history of the temple, originally situated at Naroa, Diwar, Tiswadi, goes back to Kadamba Dynasty rule. It was desecrated by Bahamani rulers, rebuilt during Vijayanagara rule. It was again destructed by Portuguese rule in 1540.”

Shri Saptakoteshwar is the ‘Raj Daivat’ of Goa. The historical past of temple, initially located at Naroa, Diwar, Tiswadi, goes again to Kadamba Dynasty rule. It was desecrated by Bahamani rulers, rebuilt throughout Vijayanagara rule. It was once more destructed by Portuguese rule in 1540. 3/5

— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) February 11, 2023

He added, “Fearing the destruction, the temple was shifted to Narve, Bicholim, at its present location. The Present temple was built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1668. His successful campaigns put a check on Portuguese brutalities and religious conversions in Goa.”

The renovation of the temple is finished below Goa Archives and Archeology division. During the renovation the ‘Kaavi’ artwork type of wall ornament is being executed, to revive the artwork. 5/5

— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) February 11, 2023

Speaking in regards to the artwork kind used throughout the renovation of the temple, he stated, “The renovation of the temple is done under Goa Archives and Archeology department. During the renovation, the ‘Kaavi’ art form of wall decoration is being executed to revive the art.”

During the occasion, Dr Sawant stated, “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj have contributed immensely to the protection of Hindu temples and religion in Goa during the Portuguese rule.” He added that a number of temples have been destroyed by the Portuguese, and the Government of Goa has determined to reconstruct them. As it is not going to be potential to assemble all of the demolished temples, “In the memory of all the temples which were destroyed during the Portuguese rule, the state government will construct a huge temple at Diwar Island where the Saptakoteshwar temple originally existed before it was shifted to Narve,” he added.

Speaking about the necessity to current Goa’s actual historical past earlier than the present common, the CM added {that a} analysis chair within the title of Shivaji Maharaj had been arrange at Goa University. The authorities can be planning to restore and reconstruct the forts constructed by Shivaji Maharaj within the state, together with the one positioned within the village Betul of South Goa district.