Shri Damodar Temple

Shri Damodar Temple is a historic Hindu temple located on the banks of the Kushawati River in Zambaulim, approximately 22 km from Margao, Goa. Dedicated to Lord Damodar, a form of Lord Shiva, it houses the deity originally worshipped in Margao before being relocated in 1567 to escape Portuguese destruction. The temple serves as a significant spiritual site for the Gowda Saraswath Brahmin community and is noted for its riverside setting and ancient heritage.

Visitors can expect a serene riverside temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva as Damodar. The site features traditional Goan temple architecture and houses multiple deities including Ramnath, Chamundeshwari, and Mahakali. It functions as an active place of worship where rituals are performed regularly. Accommodation facilities are available within the complex for community members and pilgrims. The surroundings offer a peaceful environment along the Kushawati River.

The original temple was located in Mathagam (now Margao) at the site where the Holy Spirit Church currently stands. In 1567, during the Portuguese campaign to destroy temples in Sasashti Taluka, the Mahajans shifted the deity to Zambaulim. The Desais of Rivona provided land for the new temple construction. The original Margao temple was described by Portuguese chroniclers as large and strongly built.

The temple belongs to the Gowda Saraswath Brahmin community and remains a central religious institution for devotees of Lord Damodar. It represents the migration of Hindu deities during the Portuguese era and preserves pre-colonial Goan religious traditions. The site continues to host annual festivals such as Gulalotsav during Shigmo.