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Before the Portuguese invaded Goa, it was a Hindu state. Portuguese had demolished the temples to construct the churches in their place. However, some temples were preserved . Like the other Hindu temples in India, the temples of Goa are also based around a deity. The architecture of Goan temples is a little dissimilar mostly because of historical reasons. The primary design of any Hindu temple is organized around the central shrine that houses the main deity. A tower or "Shikara" arises from the main shrine and is traditionally shaped like a pyramid. There are usually two or more smaller shrines housing other deities also. Shri Bhagavati Temple is one of the oldest temples in Goa. Beauty of Shri Bhagavati Temple, Goa Shri Bhagavati Temple is believed to be around 500 years old. The two life-sized images of elephants carved from black stone guard its entrance. The statue of the Goddess Bhagavati Ashtabhuja is an imposing one. It is another form of Goddess Durga Devi. This temple is dedicated to Shree Shantadurga, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva. It is one of the few temples in Bardez that survived the Portuguese Inquisition and during that time the deity was moved from the house of Shree Kichkar of Taliwada, Mapusa to Sanquelim, which was then a part of the Maratha kingdom of Sawantwadi. It was subsequently installed at Dhargal in Pernem in 1550 ,which was then also a principality of the Sawantwadi kingdom. The main festival or "Zatra" falls in December and draws huge crowds. Something About Shri Bhagavati Temple, Goa Shri Bhagavati Temple is located in the Mandrem not far from Morjim. The principal festivals that are observed are the seven days of “"Bhajanisaptah" which is celebrated in Kartika month. The Zatra, Dussehra and "Shimgo" are other festivals, which are attended by large crowds. Surrounding the main temples can be seen some exquisitely sculptured ancillary deities. Shri Bhagawati temple is situated in Mandrem almost 28km away from the city. There are local buses that frequent this temple regularly. One can hire motor cycles to move around the village.
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