Mahadev Temple, Tambdi Surla

We planned to visit Goa while the pandemic situation was easing a bit. So, instead of taking public transport, we drove down to Goa from Bangalore. The drive was about 10 hours and it made sense to take a break near Dandeli.

We chose an accommodation in the forest that is amidst nature but also close to this temple that we wanted to see.

The Mahadev Temple is a 12th century temple dedicated to Siva. The temple is in a remote corner at the foothills of the Western Ghats.

The path to the temple had many monkeys and so, beware if you’re carrying anything edible. There are a few stalls that sell snacks, tea and tender coconuts outside the gated path that leads to the temple.

A short walk along the path leads to the pretty clearing in the middle of the forest surrounded by breathtaking hills.

The temple is built from Deccan basalt and has weathered the change of reigns that Goa has seen, including the arrival of the Portuguese Inquisition.

The temple is east facing to catch the first rays of the rising sun. The deity is in the form of a linga. There is a headless Nandi or bull before the deity. The carvings on the roof are very intricate as are the carvings that can be seen on the temple tower and the inner sanctum’s pillars. The Kadamba kingdom’s symbol of an elephant trampling a horse figures at the base of a pillar in the inner sanctum.

We spent nearly 2 hours taking in the sights and sounds around the temple. The river near the temple was a gentle stream when we visited and there’s a flight of stairs to the water’s edge.

The water’s also home to butterflies with bright yellow and blue wings that are a sight to behold.

The slow drive to and from the temple, through the picturesque winding roads of Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park was a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and was a wonderful start to our vacation.