Shri Kamakshi Temple

Shri Kamakshi Temple is a historic Hindu temple located in the village of Shiroda in Ponda taluka, Goa. Built in the late 16th century after the original deity was relocated from Raia in Salcete, it is dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi, a form of Parvati also worshipped as Shantadurga. The temple features an octagonal two-storied tower with a golden finial, a large Sabha Mandap, a Deepasthambh, and a holy water tank. It remains an active center of worship and community festivals.

Visitors can expect darshan of Goddess Kamakshi in the sanctum sanctorum within a traditional Goan temple complex featuring an octagonal tower and pagoda-style roof. The premises include a large open entrance hall (Sabha Mandap), a tall lamp tower (Deepasthambh), a holy water tank, and affiliated shrines for deities like Rayeshwar, Lakshminarayana, Hanuman, and Dattatreya. Devotees may witness daily rituals and special palanquin processions on New Moon days and during annual festivities.

The original temple of Goddess Kamakshi was located in Raia village in Salcete taluka but was destroyed during Portuguese missionary activities. The idol was relocated to Shiroda between 1564 and 1568, where the current temple was built in the late 16th century. The site is historically known as 'Shivagram' and houses ancient associated deities from Raia including Lakshminarayana and Rayeshwar.

Goddess Kamakshi is venerated by people of all faiths across Goa and is believed to fulfill devotees' wishes. The temple hosts significant community events including palanquin processions on Amavasya, Chaturdashi, and Panchami, as well as annual festivities during Navratri/Dussehra and the spring Jatra featuring a Diya procession by married women.