Vithal Temple, Sanquelim
Address
Sanquelim, Bicholim, North Goa, India, 403504
Getting There
Transport is available from Bicholim.
Patron Diety
Lord Shiva
Festival Day
Hanuman Jayanti
Dushera
Mahashivratri
Visiting Time
Geo Location
15.566200 N, 74.007846 E
The Chandreshwar Bhoothnath temple is an ancient temple located on the road to Quepem, about 14 kms. from Margao. It is located on the Chandranath hill, a heavily wooded hill about 350 metres high and is dedicated to an incarnation of Shiva, The Lord of the Moon. The Chandranath Bhoothnath temple is associated with the Bhoja dynasty who were the rulers of the region till the 8th century and in fact they named their capital Chandrapur after the deity.
Many pilgrims arrive at the main entrance for darshan, or the ritual viewing of the deity. Inside the temple's inner sanctum, the Shivalinga is made of a natural outcrop of rock. It is placed in such a way that it gets bathed on full moon nights in moonlight. The area around the temple is strangely infested by small rock crabs.
Next door, a smaller temple is dedicated to Chandreshwar's attendant deity, Bhootnath who is the lord of ghosts.The temple's ancient chariot is well known for its wood carvings. A palanquin procession of the deity is held every Monday evening wherein food is offered to the devotees. The main festival here is the five-day Hanuman Jayanti, along with Dushera and Mahashivratri.