Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Ramnath temple, Bandode, Goa.

Ramnath, is Lord Shiva and He came to be known thus because the idol was installed  by  Lord Rama . This temple of Gowda Saraswath community was in Loutolim first and was shifted to the present location post  Portuguese colonisation . The temple also houses images of Lakshmi Narayan, Kamakshi, Santeri and Siddanath. This temple also has a multi layered deepasthambha and  is maintained very well as  other temples of Goa.

The temple celebrates the annual jatra festival, it is a procession carrying the idol in palanquin around the temple. Have a close look at the last picture. Is it not amazing? I saw this type of  stone work in some of the temples I visited in Tamil Nadu.









49 comments:

Mridula said...

The elephant and the entrance both look grand.

chitra said...

Mridula
Did you observe the bull? . It is two in one.

SG said...

I was going to mention about the two in one bull. But you had already done that in your reply to Mridula.

As always, nice narration. The temple architecture in Goa is very different from Tamilnadu or Kerala. Interesting.

Sushma Mallya said...

beautiful temple, i usually visit this temple when i go to goa...

raji said...

@ chitra .I think i visited this temple when i was in 8th standard . that picture was nice.(bull cum elephant)

Bikramjit Singh Mann said...

Loved the white structure and i did see the elephant with one head and the two bodies
very nice :)

Bikram's Blog

Amrit said...

It is beautiful temple and I was there in July.

However after reading your short writeup, now I have more knowledge about it.

Insignia said...

Wow the first pic..Two animals in one. Loved that

anupama said...

Dear Chitra,
Good Morning!
I have visited the temple.It is simply beautiful.Chitra,there is lovely tank in front of the temple.How did you miss it?
The eepasthambha is amazing.
Looking forward for your post on Sree Krishna Temple,Guruvayoor.
Ponda[Goa]is a district having sixty temples.
Wishing you a bright and beautiful day,
Sasneham,
Anu

Archana said...

It's an elephant and a bull fused together. Very creative!

Again a fine example of the syncretic style of Goa temples.

You are right, Ramnath means Shiva. In the Ramayana, Rama worshipped Shiva on the sea-coast before building the bridge to reach Lanka. Rameshvaram commemorates that event. Ramnath and Rameshvaram mean the same i.e., "Lord of Rama" or Shiva.

It's interesting that in Hinduism, Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu, worships Shiva and Shiva meditates on Vishnu!

Prabha Kamath said...

Chitra,
I have no words to express my deep appreciation of the wonderful pictures, with slide shows, and the narration you give on each temple about its mahatmyam and the whereabouts of their location, etc.
Later on, you can think of publishing all these details for the benefit of the people who have no access to the computer world.
Our Best Wishes.

KParthasarathi said...

Thank you.There are so many temples that one is unable to visit.You bring some of them before me through your blog and slide shows providing great mental satisfaction.

Felicity Grace Terry said...

Quite unlike the other temples you have shown us so far. Just as impressive though I think of this as grand rather than beautiful.

chitra said...

SG,
I think I should have let others guess about the bull.
Thanks for the comment.

chitra said...

Sushma,
I was sure you would be able to relate to this temple quite well.

chitra said...

Raji,
This post would have brought back the memories of your visit, isn't it?

chitra said...

Bikram
The last picture is that of an elephant and a bull.But it has been carved in such a fashion one has to observe it closely to see both the heads of the animals.

chitra said...

A,
I visited this temple in last May, just before you went and thoroughly enjoyed the trip.

chitra said...

Insignia
The creator is really brainy fellow.

chitra said...

Archana,
That is nice information you gave.Many take Ramanth to be Lord Rama Himself.There are two or three Siva temples in Tamil nadu believed to have been worshipped by Rama.

chitra said...

Bavaji and Prabakka,
Thanks a lot for your good wishes.

chitra said...

KP
Thanks for the comment.I am just sharing what I see and derive lot of satisfaction out of it.

chitra said...

PW,
The temple set up in a salubrious environment is really grand.

Arti said...

The images are very beautiful as always... I especially loved the bull and the elephant stonework!!

I hope your plans of travelling to Rajasthan materialize very soon. I will be glad to offer any help, if required:)

Sridharan said...

Love the pictures...I like the bright environment.

chitra said...

Arti,
I will definitely get in touch with you. I need lot of info.

chitra said...

Sridharan,
Thanks a bunch

StarTraci said...

I love the shared head. That is gorgeous -- especially how it looks like a cow head coming from one and an elephant head from the other. So cool.

:-)
Traci

Satya said...

very beautifull temple...n the environment too

Satya
http://www.superyummyrecipes.com

Anonymous said...

Very nice presentation. Thanks for sharing And memory rewind when I was there few weeks back.
Anyways, keep writing. And I lost your e.mail-sorry.

chitra said...

Traci,
Thanks dear friend

chitra said...

Satya,
Thanks a lot.

chitra said...

Appu,
I had seen your blog when you had posted about this temple.Thanks a lot.

kiran sawhney said...

I noticed the entrance picture. Very nice post. This temple is a must visit when I am in Goa next time. Thanks for sharing.

chitra said...

Kiran,
Thanks a lot.I am sure you would love the atmosphere.

ജയരാജ്‌മുരുക്കുംപുഴ said...

beautiful visuals, very good narration..... best wishes.............

Krishna said...

I liked the surroundings near this temple... Beautiful Spot.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful and thank you for bringing this to us. The snap of the elephant and bull is fabulous. How could the sculpture think of that? Is there anything in Hindu Mythology depicting this ? Or is it having some other significance.

Oh I think, I got it. Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu..

esperance27 said...

Un petit bonjour de France!
Amitiés:CLAIRE

chitra said...

Jayaraj, thanks for the comment.

chitra said...

SKM
Thanks for the comment.

chitra said...

Stranger,
Even I was wonndering about the creative skills of this sculptor. I don't know anything related to mythology regarding this. So for the time being I am also going to follow your idea.

chitra said...

esperance27
grâce. Visitez à nouveau

Santosh Bangar said...

hi very informative about temple i went to Goa and visit there all the pic are nicely clicked spc elephant iread from ur ans otherwise i think 2elephants with one face very nice .thanks for ur valuable comments on my blog keep visiting

chitra said...

Santhosh Bangar,
Oh sure, I am following yours and love your posts.

R. Ramesh said...

chitra ji thanks thanks thanks...proud to b yr friend

sm said...

enterance,
elephant
great

chitra said...

Ramesh,
You made my day!!!. It's mutual.

chitra said...

sm, thanks