Shree Shantadurga Devasthan

Shree Shantadurga Devasthana is the holy abode of Goddess Durga, who is also called Saibini in Konkani. This temple is popularly known as Shanteri, and is situated 33 km from Panaji at the foothills of the Kavalem Village in the Ponda Taluka. It is dedicated to Shantadurga, who is considered to be a mediator between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

Goddess Shantadurga is an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, who intervened in the battle between Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. The Goddess is also the family deity or Kuldevi of several Konkani Saraswats, Maharishi Saraswati and Karhade Brahmins. The idol of the main deity of the temple holds two serpents in each hand, which represent Gods.

The original temple was located at Cavelossim in Salsette, but was destroyed in 1564 by the Portuguese. Later, the idol was shifted to Kavalem, where the current temple was built in 1738 by a Maratha ruler, Chhatrapati Shahu Raje of Satara.