Ramnath Temple,Ponda

Address

Ponda, North Goa, India, 403401

Getting There

Transport is available from Ponda.

Patron Diety

Ramnath

Visiting Time

Geo Location

15.398781 N, 73.980998 E

The temple of Ramnath is located in Ramnathim, 7 kms. from Ponda. Ramnath was the incarnation of lord Shiva that Lord Rama prayed to before he crossed the ocean to Sri Lanka to bring back his wife, Sita. The name Ram-Nath means lord of shree Rama. The original temple in Goa, was located in Loutolim in Salcette. The Idol of Ramnathi was shifted to the present site in the 16th century to prevent its destruction by the then Portuguese authorities.

A portrait of Garuda and Hanuman in their usual positions is set in the archway. The paintings of Sita, Rama and his brother Lakshman kneeling and worshipping a linga with Rama's devotee Hanuman standing behind is placed in the temple along with the Dvarapalas - the guardians and on the down panel elephants carrying garland in his trunk. The temple also has the Idols of the goddess Santeri from Rivona and the goddess Kamakshi from Loutolim. The periodical occasion celebrated is Palakhi of Sri Ramnath every Monday. The annual Jatra of Ramnathi is held during Shivratri and Navaratri.