Navadurga is the

Kuldevta A kuladevatā (), also known as a kuladaivaṃ, is an ancestral tutelary deity in Hinduism and Jainism. Such a deity is often the object of one's devotion (''bhakti''), and is coaxed to watch over one's clan (''kula''), gotra, family, and child ...

(family deity) of many Gaud Saraswat Brahmins (GSBs) and Daivadnya Brahmins in

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

—in

Goa Goa () is a state on the southwestern coast of India within the Konkan region, geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats. It is located between the Indian states of Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the ...

and Maharashtra. Due to the forceful Portuguese conversion and intervention into their rituals, the Deity with all the other purushas had to be shifted from Gavasim to their present respective places. The Saraswats and Daivadnyas who left to the north of Goa, established a temple in the honours of the Goddess and revering her in nine different locations. The present temple along with the kulpurushas is located in Vengulara Redi (Maharashtra). The other Saraswats and Daivadnyas who left to the East of Goa along with their Kulapurushas established a temple dedicated to the Goddess. Today the magnificent temple located in

Madkai Marcaim or Madkai is a census town in Ponda taluka, North Goa district in the state of Goa, India. A number of its residents have the last name, Kamat, and belong to the Goud Saraswat Brahmin community. It is famous for is Navdurga temple, ...

, is famous for its Navadurga having a tilted head. Legend says that a wealthy Saraswat merchant when placed a flower worth Rs. 1000, the Goddess tilted her head acknowledging the merchant's devotion. A similar legend follows at the Katyayani Baneshwar, a Konkani temple (once located in Benaulim, Goa) now located in Aversa, Karnataka. Here Katyayani too like the Navadurga has a tilted head. As the legend goes, a goldsmith belonging to Daivadnya Brahmin community living in the village of

was ordered by temple authorities to fabricate a mask of the goddess Navdurga. The goddess appeared in the goldsmith’s dream and told him to make the mask similar to his daughter’s face. The mask was prepared resembling his daughter’s face, but after few days his daughter became weak and died. The goldsmith was very sad because of her death. The goddess appeared before him once again and told him that she will visit his house once in a year as his daughter. Hence as a tradition goes the same mask of the goddess is welcomed in the goldsmith’s house on Karthik Shukla Asthami day every year. This day is celebrated by the Madkaikars (goldsmith's family) in the same way as a married girl visiting her paternal home. The Navdurgas located in

(Goa), Kundaim (Goa) and Redi (Vengurla - Maharashtra) are considered to be Saraswat Kuldevtas whereas the others are or normal Hindu temples. The present temple has recently banned entry of foreigners into the temple citing objectionable dressing and conduct as the reason. There are many Navadurga

Temple A temple (from the Latin ) is a building reserved for spiritual rituals and activities such as prayer and sacrifice. Religions which erect temples include Christianity (whose temples are typically called churches), Hinduism (whose temples ...

s in Goa such as at Madkiam, Kundaim, Pale,

Poinguinim Poinguinim is a village in the Canacona taluka administrative region of Goa, India, near the Goa-Karnataka border, and close to the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary. The village is home to a population of 6,625 people as of the 2011 census. The name ...

Borim Borim or Bori is a census town in Ponda taluka, North Goa district in the state of Goa, India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh ...

, Adkolna, (

Siddheshwar Siddheshwar also known as Siddharameshwar and Siddharama was one among the five acharya ("saint") of the Lingayat faith. Siddheshwar was a great contributor to Lingayat sampradaya of Hinduism. He was a great mystic and a Kannada poet who was ...

-) Navadurga at Surla and at Redi,

Vengurla Vengurla is a town in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, India just north of Goa. It is surrounded by a semicircular range of hills with lush green foliage mainly of cashew, mango, coconut, and different kinds of berry trees. The hills of Dab ...

in Maharashtra. The Redi Navadurga was shifted from Gavasi (Gancim) Goa in the 16th Century to present Kanyale-Redi, Tehsil:Vengurla location of Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra.

External links

Shree Navadurga Devi Temple Kanyale
Redi, Vengurla, Maharashtra.
Shree Navadurga TempleLocation map of Shree Navadurga Devi Temple
Kanyale, Redi, Vengurla, Maharashtra. {{DEFAULTSORT:Navadurga (Regional Goddess) Hindu goddesses Hinduism in Goa Hinduism in Maharashtra