Bereft of colour or concrete, there’s something beautifully pure and mystic about the ancient Mahadev Temple in Tambdi Surla.
Carved from sheer stone, the 12th century temple dedicated to Shiva, stands solemn by itself under a dense canopy of trees in the remote Goan village located almost 60 kms from Panaji. Reckoned as one of the oldest temples in the state, it was built in the Jain style during the reign of the Kadamba-Yadava kings, who ruled the region of Goa and other contiguous areas during the ancient period.
Made from solid basalt rock, which may have been hauled all the way from the basalt-rich plateaus of the Deccan region, the temple is one of the very few which survived invasions and the destruction of temples by subsequent rulers.
A journey to the temple should not be missed out on, especially because the picturesque drive to Tambdi Surla village itself makes it worth it. Just behind the temple is a small stream where you can stretch your feet into (not in the monsoons, when it becomes a fearful torrent) after the long drive. A small hour-long trek along a path right behind the temple, takes you to a waterfall, where a dip in the cool water, would make the trip all the more memorable.
What: Mahadev Temple
Where: Tambdi Surla in Sanguem
How to get there: Hiring a taxi is the most preferred route. One can stop along the way at one of the many small street kiosks for a refreshing drink of fresh coconut water or a steaming cup of tea.
