Anant Devasthan – The Unique Temple of Sheshashayi Vishnu
The two villages of Savai and Verem in Goa’s Ponda taluka guide you on a unique spiritual journey – a path that ends at a magnificent, peaceful, and beautiful temple called “Anant Devasthan”. This is an exquisitely beautiful temple dedicated to Anantashayana Vishnu.
This temple, located in Verem village which begins right after Savai village ends, is also known as the Madanant Temple of Savai-Verem. It is about 24–25 kilometers from Panaji and can be reached via the Marcel–Khandola route. On the way, you will also come across famous places like the Devaki-Krishna temple in Marcel and the Mahaganapati temple in Khandola. After Khandola, the path goes through Betki, then Savai, and finally Verem – making this route a truly devotional journey.
A Temple Standing on a Reservoir
The most remarkable feature of Anant Devasthan is that the temple stands on water. At first glance, this might go unnoticed because the temple’s architecture is so skillfully designed that this unique aspect is hidden within its grandeur. As you descend the steps and enter, you will see a small pond beside the temple straight ahead, but in reality, the entire temple is built upon this reservoir.
Skilled Architecture
The temple is believed to be around 500–600 years old. It features a sloping red-tiled roof. Compared to other temples, its shikhara (spire) and the dome (ghumat) above it appear somewhat narrow. The spire resembles a beautifully carved pillar, topped with a small dome and a kalash (finial).
As you enter the temple from the grand assembly hall in front, instead of traditional flooring at the entrance, glass panels have been installed, through which you can clearly see the water below and the small fish swimming within.
After the assembly hall, you pass through the Antaral into the next hall—the Madhyamandap or Chowk—where, as usual, you see four wooden pillars. One of these pillars is covered with a silver sheet, and this is the place where the deity’s divine verdict (kaul) is taken. All four pillars are intricately carved with figures of various deities.
The inner ceiling of the temple is entirely made of wood. At the center of the ceiling hangs an attractive chandelier. Upon entering the Central hall (Chowk), on the right side, there is a wooden staircase leading to the upper level of the courtyard. The front wooden door of the Garbh grih is also beautifully carved. Above this door is a carved idol of Sheshashayi Vishnu. On either side of the door are the figures of Jaya and Vijaya, and on the grand pillars nearby are carvings of Narada and Tumburu.
From here onwards is the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha)… Generally, in other temples, the space between the front door of the Sanctum and the inner sanctum door is closed off on both sides, or there are doors on both sides to enter that space.
What makes this temple unique is that this area is like an open passage, open on both sides. This allows devotees to go inside and have a clear darshan of Vishnu through the sanctum’s door, even from within.
The Divine Idol of Sheshashayi Vishnu and the Unique Abhishek Ritual
The idol of Sheshashayi Vishnu in the temple is carved from black stone. However, after the fragrant worship (gandha pooja), it is adorned so beautifully with blue and other colored fragrant pastes that one feels captivated just looking at it.
The abhishek (ritual bathing) of the idol is performed using water from beneath the temple. But this water does not come from the reservoir under the temple; instead, there is a shallow well, about a hand’s depth, located between the main idol and the smaller abhishek idol behind it. Water is drawn from this well to perform the abhishek of Anant, that is, Vishnu.
Pure and Serene Surroundings
The large open assembly hall outside the temple was built about 30–40 years ago. Its roof is also made of wood. In front of the temple’s main entrance, a stage has been set up for hosting temple events.
The area surrounding the temple is very beautiful, adorned with greenery, flowering trees, and small coconut palms, creating a soothing atmosphere. The fields and traditional kulagars (ancestral plantations) just outside the temple compound add even more to this peaceful environment.
Anant Devasthan: A Wonderful Blend of Divine and Natural Serenity
With its beautiful architecture and enchanting surroundings, Anant Devasthan, the only temple dedicated to Sheshashayi Vishnu, is a place you’ll want to visit again and again.
If you visit Goa, this site must be on your list—once you experience it, you’ll surely feel called back again!
