Mahadev Temple, Tambdi Surla , 12th-century Shaivite temple , oldest temple in Goa, Mollem National Park, India

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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 temple was built by Hemadri, the minister of the Yadava King Ramachandra. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is reminiscent of the temples at Aihole in neighbouring Karnataka. There is a linga (symbol of Lord Shiva) mounted on a pedestal inside the inner sanctum, and local legend has it that a huge king cobra is in permanent residence in the dimly lit interior. The temple consists of garbhagriha, antarala and a pillared Nandi mandapa built of basalt. The four pillars, embellished with intricate carvings of elephants and chains support a stone ceiling decorated with finely carved Ashtoken lotus flowers.

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Photo credit: © Nirmal Kulkarni / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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Keywords: 12, ancient, art, century, culture, famous, heritage, hindu, hinduism, historic, historical, history, recite, religion, religious, shiv, shiva, surla, tambdi, temple, tourism, worship, worshipping, yadava