Saptakoteshwar Temple, Hindu temple in Narve, Bicholim taluk, India
The Saptakoteshwar Temple is a Hindu shrine in Narve village featuring a shallow Mughal dome, a European-style prayer hall, and stone caves carved from laterite rock. The grounds include a sacred water tank known as a Tirtha, which is used for ritual bathing and purification.
The original temple stood on Divar Island until Portuguese authorities destroyed it in 1560. The sanctuary was rebuilt at its present location in the Bicholim region in 1668.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and visitors can observe the polished stone representation of the deity in the main chamber. Regular ceremonies and rituals take place around the sacred tank nearby, where devotees gather for worship.
The temple is located about 35 kilometers from Panaji and can be reached via a ferry connection from Divar Island to access the Bicholim area. Visiting during the drier months makes navigation to the site easier and more comfortable.
The temple walls bear a Sanskrit inscription documenting its founding by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This historical marking reveals a direct connection between the sanctuary and the leadership of the region during its reconstruction.
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