Mahadev Temple, Tambdi Surla
Mahadev
Temple, Tambdi Surla is a 12th century shaivite temple of the Lord
Mahadeva and an active place of Hindu worship. It is notable as the oldest
temple in Goa, India.
The small
Shiva (Mahadev) temple of Tambdi Surla situated at about 18km from the Bhagwan
Mahaveer Sanctuary gate is the only surviving structure of the Kadamba Yadava
dynasty. Thus it is the oldest temple of Goa, that survived from the Portuguese
as it was set next to a stream in the middle of the small clearing, hidden in
the dense jungle.
According to
history researcher Prajal Sakhardande it was built in the 12th
century by the kadamba queen Kamladevi and is not made of basalt, as it is
believed, but of grey black talc chlorite schist soap stone. This makes the intricate
handwork adorning the walls of the temple still seem fresh, as it is weather
resistant.
The Tamdi
Surla temple dedicated to lord shiva has a pillared porch and three stepped
entrances and the shrine by a tower. It is quite small passageway and has shiva
vehicle, a headless Nandi bull in the center of the main porch.
A solid
piece of stone work is the lotus shape carved out of the porch’s ceiling. The pierced
stone sreen carrying the figures of deities that surrounds the door of the
vestibule is another notable feature.
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