Shri Devi Navadurga Temple of Kanyale-Redi, Taluka:Vengurla Dist: Sindhudurg,Maharashtra
(near GOA !).
( Click on photo for enlarged view )Introduction
: Originally from Gavasi (Gancim or Gavshi) in Tiswadi (Ilhas) taluka of Goa , believed to have existed
there since 10th Century ,this goddess Navadurga (or Navdurga) was shifted during portuguese invasion in the 16th Century
to Redi - Vengurla (or Vengurle)in the beautiful konkan region of Sindhudurg District of Maharashtra, very near from
the Maharashtra-Goa Border.The temple is very near from the world famous Terekhol fort of Goa. For last more than 450 years,
the goddess has been here. Vengurla -Redi is very rich in nature with lot of greenery , very pleasant atmosphere ,lots of
Cashews ,Mangoes , Beetle -nuts & Coconut trees .Nature wise , Vengurla is very beautiful , and can be called as "
Goa of Maharashtra ". Arabian Sea is nearby and there are many other temples in the vicinity. Goddess Navadurga
,said to be a form of goddess Parvati , is the Kuldevata of many Goud Saraswat Brahmins (GSBs),among many others.She is
said to be Mahishasur Mardini. Goddess Durga is worshipped in different forms .
She is a form of " Shakti" .It is said that the evolution of Shri MahaSaraswati, Shri Mahalaxshmi & Shri Mahakali ( the
main 3 forms of Shakti) took place from Shri Brahma , Shri Vishnu & Shri Mahesh respectively.Each of these 3 deities gave
rise to 2 more forms.So , in all , these 9 forms together are known as " Navadurga ". The Mahajans &
Devotees of this goddess are mainly settled at Vengurla, Ubhadanda,Mumbai,Pune ,Goa ,Supe,Kanyale-Redi ,Karwar,Sirsi, Cochin
& Mangalore.There are some more Navadurga Temples in GOA at Madkai,Kundai,Bori,Adcolna(Ponda),Pale,
Surla (Dicholi) & Paingein.
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