About
History
The idol of Shri Kamakshi at Shiroda is believed to have come from Guwahati in Assam, where she is known as Kamakhya and which is her original abode. The original Shri Kamakshi temple was located in Raia village in the Salcete taluka. The deity however, was shifted to Shiroda village in Ponda Taluka between 1564 and 1568, as Captain of Rachol, Diogo Rodrigues, the then representative of the Colonial Portuguese regime in Goa, destroyed the Raia temple as a part of the ongoing inquisition. It is believed that a potter from the Raia village, accompanied by some worshippers of the deity smuggled the idol of Goddess Kamakshi across River Kushavati to safety in the Shiroda village.
Initially, the people accompanying the deity stationed themselves at Vazem, in Shiroda and later at the Bharbhat Ward. However, they still felt unsafe due to the location of Portuguese military headquarters across the river at Raiture Fort, and then moved to Thal, Shiroda, the present location.
The Legend
The Kamakshi Mahatmyam in the Sahyadri Khand of the Skandha Purana speaks about the deity. According to it, a respected Brahmin -Agnimukh residing in a place called Rai (present day Raia) once sent his son named Gunakar to forest, for collecting dry grass used in the Puja or religious ritual. However, the demon Mahishasura swallowed the Brahmin boy. When Agnimukha approached Hara and Hari, the local protectors, they advised him to seek the help of the deity, Shri Kamakshi. Following such a request, the deity came to the aid of Agnimukh and challenged the demon for a battle. Having been hit by a bolt, Mahishasura sought pardon from the deity and returned the Brahmin's son to her. He then left for Patal or the netherworld. Agnimukha subsequently requested the deity to reside in Rai region and she decided to do so permanently. This description is found in the first three Adhyays or chapters of Kamakshi Mahatmyam. The fourth Adhyaya narrates the tale wherein Shri Kamakshi assumed the form of Mahishasuramardini and killed the demon Mahishasura.
Contact
Shree Kamakshi Saunsthan
Thal Shiroda Goa
India
403103