The short answer
Mallikarjuna Temple, Sristhal: what visitors should know first
Visit if you want a quiet, living temple and a look at Goa's older architecture, about a short drive inland from Patnem. Dress modestly, remove footwear and check festival dates, as crowds and closures change.
History and context
The story behind Mallikarjuna Temple, Sristhal
Wikipedia says the temple is believed to date from around the middle of the 16th century, based on a plaque near the dome. It was refurbished in 1778.
The same entry credits the Kshatriya samaj, descended from the Surve family of Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra, with building it, and notes that other accounts also exist. The deity is Mallikarjuna, an incarnation of Shiva.
Useful facts
Mallikarjuna Temple, Sristhal facts at a glance
- Location
- Sristhal village, about 7 km north-east of Chaudi, Canacona
- Faith
- Hindu
- Deity/dedication
- Mallikarjuna, a form of Shiva
- Visitor note
- Dress modestly; remove footwear; ask before photographing
- Built
- Believed mid-16th century; refurbished in 1778
Why it matters
Why Mallikarjuna Temple, Sristhal is worth your time
Goa's coast is often described through its beaches and churches, but the state also has a long tradition of Hindu temples, many rebuilt or refurbished since the Portuguese era. Mallikarjuna is one of the best known in Canacona, and it ties the inland village to the coast through its festival procession to Rajbag beach, a short way from Patnem.
For visitors it is a useful corrective to a beach-only trip. A morning visit gives context to the area's communities, their ritual calendar and their buildings, and it is easy to combine with a drive through Chaudi on the way back.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The six-pillar hall
Pillars carved with scenes from the Puranas and the Mahabharata.
- 02
The oracle pillar
A wooden pillar that serves as the temple's oracle.
- 03
Festival procession
A procession takes the deity to Rajbag beach for a ritual bath.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Visit in the morning, when the stone is cool and the temple is quiet. Wikipedia describes a hall with six pillars carved with scenes from the Puranas and the Mahabharata, a wooden pillar that serves as an oracle, and carved doorkeepers at the sanctum doors. The linga is considered self-manifested and is covered with a metal mask.
Dress modestly, leave your shoes outside and ask a temple volunteer before you take photographs. Even if you are not a worshipper, a short, quiet walk through the hall and the grounds shows how Goa's Hindu temples are laid out and used.
The temple is known for festivals. Annual and periodic events include Shigmo, Rathasaptami and a procession that takes the deity to Rajbag beach for a ritual bath, and these are the days to see it at its fullest, and also its busiest. Check dates locally, and plan to arrive early. Use a taxi or hired car, since the temple is inland and public transport from Patnem is limited.
Plan with confidence
Visit as a guest, not a spectator.
- Cover shoulders and knees and remove footwear
- Ask before taking photographs
- Check festival dates before you go
- Hire a taxi or car; public transport is limited
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Sristhal village, inland from Patnem Beach, about 7 km north-east of Chaudi, in Canacona
- Time needed
- 45 to 60 minutes
- Best time
- Morning; festival days for a fuller experience
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Level temple grounds with shade and a roofed hall, though you walk barefoot on stone that gets hot at midday. Visit in the morning and ask about seating inside.
- Tickets and access
- No entry fee. Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, remove footwear and ask before photographing inside. Festival days are crowded, so check the dates.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Mallikarjuna Temple, Sristhal
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Level temple grounds with shade and a roofed hall, though you walk barefoot on stone that gets hot at midday. Visit in the morning and ask about seating inside.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
When was it built?
Wikipedia says it is believed to date from around the middle of the 16th century and was refurbished in 1778.
What is it dedicated to?
Mallikarjuna, a form of Shiva.
Can non-Hindus visit?
Visitors are generally welcome in the temple hall and grounds, but confirm access and dress rules locally, especially on festival days.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.