First Encounter with Vijayadurga at Keri

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Keri for a day for a residential camp organized by Sanskrit Bharati Goa. Our camp was held in a building owned by the temple, located across the road behind the Vijayadurga temple. Busy with camp activities, it wasn’t until lunch that I got a chance to appreciate the nature outside the building.

We went to the temple for the midday feast. The beautiful temple stood in the middle of a well-maintained courtyard adorned with flowering plants. Inside the temple, we had a brief but powerful darshan of the radiant idol of Vijayadurga Devi. Pressed for time, we quickly returned to the camp. As we left, the surrounding nature seemed to invite us back, but despite many plans, the opportunity for a return visit never arose—until this year, when it happened unexpectedly.

A Unique Temple Amidst Stunning Nature

This time, I took in the entire temple, its surroundings, and the idol of the Devi. It was late afternoon in December, so the day was short. The Vijayadurga temple in Keri is nestled in nature, with the village on one side and dense foliage on the other. Except during festivals and fairs, the temple is less crowded compared to other temples, offering a serene environment. The temple is constructed in the traditional Goan style with a tiled roof. The Devi’s idol was adorned, so the original form wasn’t visible, but she seemed to be Ashtabhuja (eight-armed).

One noteworthy aspect of this temple is the absence of commercialization. Unlike other temples where vendors sell flowers and other items outside, there were no such distractions here, enhancing the temple’s tranquility.

An Attractive and Well-Maintained Temple Complex

After darshan, we walked around the temple. The surrounding buildings, including traditional Goan houses and halls, added to the temple’s charm. The neat flower beds, the tulsi vrindavan, and the lamp post in front were all part of the well-kept premises.

We entered from the back of the temple and planned to leave before it got dark. As we were about to turn back, we noticed something from the front entrance that left us awestruck.

The Temple Pond

Traditional Goan temples often have ponds either in front or behind them. Here, the pond resembled a small river, flanked by dense coconut and areca nut groves. There were steps leading down to the pond, with tall trees on either side where monkeys played. Drawn by nature, we descended the steps and reached the pond’s edge without realizing it.

The pond lay below, and there were benches on the final steps for sitting and enjoying the serene view. Ducks swam energetically in the water, flocks of egrets flew overhead, and herons meditated on nearby rocks. The sight and sounds of birds returning to their nests filled the air. We were so captivated by nature that we lost track of time and didn’t notice when darkness fell. The growing darkness brought us back to reality, and we decided to return, feeling blessed by the Devi and the natural beauty. We resolved to stay for at least two days on our next visit.

विजयादुर्गा केरी

The Unique Makhrotsav of Vijayadurga in Margashirsha Navratri

Most Goan temples celebrate Navratri with the decoration of the goddess in a special palanquin called “Makhra,” usually in Ashwin Navratri. However, we learned from a local acquaintance that at Vijayadurga temple, this celebration happens in Margashirsha month. One evening, we visited Keri specifically to witness this unique festival.

विजयादुर्गा

The Specialty of Vijayadurga’s Makhrotsav

Watching the Makhrotsav in Goa is a mesmerizing experience, blending joy and devotion. Each temple has its unique style of swaying the Makhra, and the music varies slightly. At Keri, the Makhra is swayed not only forward and backward but also side to side and even completely around. In the dim light, the glowing Vijayadurga in the swaying Makhra, accompanied by enchanting music, created a divine atmosphere for about an hour. After receiving the prasadam, we headed back.

The Village of Renowned Singer Kesarbai Kerkar

Keri is also notable for music lovers as the hometown of the famous classical singer Kesarbai Kerkar. The village houses the Kesarbai Kerkar School, and her residence is nearby.

How to Reach Vijayadurga Temple in Keri

Keri village, nestled in nature and about thirty kilometers from Panaji, is in Ponda Taluka. To reach Keri from Panaji, take the Betki road from Marcel Savai-verem and proceed five kilometers. Alternatively, you can reach Keri via Priol from the Mardol highway. If coming from Belgaum, Keri is approximately ten to twelve kilometers from Ponda.

If you are a nature lover and enjoy visiting temples, don’t miss the Vijayadurga temple in Keri, Ponda Taluka.

Categories: Goan Temples