from www.goapluses.com Shri Saptkoteshwar temple of Opa
Rohit R Phalgaonkar Anant-urj Desh during the Kadamb period, and later called the Antruj Mahal during AdilShahi period, is today's Ponda taluka. This taluka has great historic significance as many deities chose to reside in this taluka after the 16th century. The Kadambs, the Vijaynagar, the Bahamani had their sway over this taluka. Later, the Portuguese acquired this taluka from Adilshah of Bijapur and added it to the list of "Nova Conquistas". In this taluka, on the banks of River Khandepar, lies the untouched village of Khandepar, named after the river. The village finds a place in many copperplate inscriptions. Traversing through the village, one will come across a small temple complex in the small hamlet of Opa. Here, a striking exposed laterite stone temple of Shri Saptkoteshwar overlooks the River Khandepar. The temple is built on a beautiful Ghaat. The temple has no recorded history. No references to any king or queen building this temple or ordering it to be built in particular are found on any copperplates or inscriptions. However, deity Shri Saptkoteshwar's name is found inscribed on every record of the Kadamb dynasty. Copperplates and gold coins of Kadamb Kings like Tribhuvanmall and Jaikeshi; Degamve stone inscription of Kadamb King Shivchith and his Queen Kamladevi makes a special mention of this deity. Shri Saptkoteshwar was the family deity of the Kadamb dynasty who was invoked on every occasion. The copperplates of Vimn Mantri (1348 AD) also make a mention of this temple. He was then called as Saptnath. Dr. Mitragotri opines that the temple was renovated during the Vijaynagar period. The Vijaynagar dynasty seems to have introduced the art of building domes in Goa. Domes similar to this temple are found on the gateways of Hampi. Architecturally, the overall temple displays a strong Vijaynagar influence. The temple is a 3-tier structure crowned with a small dome. The 'Kallas' is in the shape of a bud. Two laterite stone 'Nandis' and elephants are placed on each corner below the dome. They appear to guard the temple in all four cardinal directions. Such sculptures are seen placed on the roofs of South Indian temples. Very few laterite stone sculptures of that era are available in Goa. Laterite being unsuitable for carving was avoided by sculptors. Nevertheless, efforts were made by a few to carve images out of laterite. The niches on the walls of the water tank of Shri Saptkoteshwar in Diwar, built during the Kadamb period, are carved out of laterite stone. The temple of Shri Madhav Ganpati in Shiroda also has a laterite stone image lying outside. It is seen that Shri Saptkoteshwar temple of Opa Khandepar is the only temple in Goa having sculptures of animals placed on its roof. The temple has a very small Sabhaamandap. A stunning image of a Nandi, probably of Talco chlorite schist, is placed right in the centre of the Sabhaamandap. The doorjambs of the sanctum are carved of Talco chlorite schist stone and have Kadamb motifs. Shri Saptkoteshwar is worshipped in the form of a 'Ling'. The temple being situated in a low-lying area gets half submerged in river water during the monsoons. Due to this, a lot of moss and plants are seen growing on the walls of the temple; these plant roots have the ability of penetrating deep inside the walls and damaging them. The temple is a protected monument by the Department of Archives and Archaeology, Goa. As Goans, we should be concerned about our heritage and should not allow it to perish.
