Shri Ramnath Temple (Shree Ramnath Devasthan), Ramnathi
Shiva (Ramnath) temple · Ramnathi (Bandivade), near Ponda, Goa, India
Photo: Drshenoy at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Shri Ramnath Temple, run as Shree Ramnath Devasthan, is a temple of Ramnath, a form of Shiva, at Ramnathi in Ponda taluka, Goa (The Goan; Swarajya; Shree Ramnath Devasthan). Swarajya places it at Ramnathim in Bandivade (Swarajya), and the Government of Goa lists a temple of Lord Ramnath among the temples of the Ponda area (Government of Goa).
The temple is known for a deity that was moved from Loutolim in Salcete during Portuguese rule in the 16th century (The Goan; Swarajya; Onmanorama). Visitors note the silver-covered door of the sanctum, carved with scenes of gods and devotion (The Goan; Swarajya).
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Shri Ramnath Temple (Shree Ramnath Devasthan), Ramnathi
According to local tradition, the name Ramnath means 'lord of Rama' and refers to the Shiva whom Rama worshipped, a legend that links the deity to Rameshwaram in south India (The Goan; Swarajya). The temple's own trust describes Ramnath as a symbol of the unity of Vishnu (Hari) and Shiva (Hara) (Shree Ramnath Devasthan).
The temple follows the Panchayatan arrangement found in several Goan temples, in which other deities are worshipped alongside the presiding deity (Swarajya). Shanteri, Kamakshi and Laxmi Narayan are among the deities housed here (The Goan; Swarajya), and Swarajya also names Ganapati, Betal and Kalbhairav (Swarajya), while The Goan names Siddhanath (The Goan).
Heritage
History of Shri Ramnath Temple (Shree Ramnath Devasthan), Ramnathi
Published accounts say the deity was first worshipped at Loutolim in Salcete and was carried across the Zuari river to its present site to protect it from destruction during Portuguese rule (The Goan; Swarajya). The move is dated to the 16th century, and the new site lay in what is now Ponda taluka (Swarajya; Onmanorama).
Tradition, as recorded by The Goan, holds that the deity had earlier come to Loutolim from Rameshwar (The Goan); this is a matter of belief rather than documented history. The Government of Goa notes more generally that most of the important temples around Ponda were restored after being destroyed by the Portuguese (Government of Goa).
Architecture and sacred features
The door to the inner sanctum is covered in silver and carved with relief scenes of deities and worship (The Goan; Swarajya). A deepastambha, or lamp tower, stands outside the main building (The Goan), and the temple complex is described as large and well kept (Swarajya).
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
The temple trust lists regular palanquin (palkhi) processions, including a weekly Monday procession of Ramnath (Shree Ramnath Devasthan). Timings and visitor arrangements can change, so confirm current arrangements with Shree Ramnath Devasthan before visiting.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Shree Ramnath Devasthan (official website) before travelling. Last reviewed 11 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Shri Ramnath Temple (Shree Ramnath Devasthan), Ramnathi
Mahashivratri Mahotsav
The temple trust lists a five-day Mahashivratri festival with processions, dramas and a chariot (ratha) ceremony (Shree Ramnath Devasthan).
Navaratri and Dussehra
The trust lists Navaratri and Dussehra, when palanquins are taken up the hill for the Simollanghan ritual (Shree Ramnath Devasthan).
Ramnavami
Rama's birth is celebrated at noon on Chaitra Shudh Navami, followed by a community meal, according to the temple trust (Shree Ramnath Devasthan).
Shigmotsav
The trust lists Shigmotsav as the festival of Shree Shanteri, ending with Gulalotsav (Shree Ramnath Devasthan).
Location
How to Reach Shri Ramnath Temple (Shree Ramnath Devasthan), Ramnathi
The temple's address is Shree Ramnath Devasthan, Ramnathi, Ponda, Goa 403401 (Shree Ramnath Devasthan). It lies in Ponda taluka, inland from Panaji, the state capital (The Goan; Swarajya). No government source with travel distances or the nearest airport and railway station could be checked, so confirm routes locally before travelling.
Location: Ramnathi (Bandivade), near Ponda, Goa, India
More in Hindu temples in Goa · Shiva (Ramnath) temples
Questions
Shri Ramnath Temple (Shree Ramnath Devasthan), Ramnathi: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Shri Ramnath Temple?
It is at Ramnathi in Ponda taluka, Goa (The Goan; Shree Ramnath Devasthan). Swarajya places it at Ramnathim in Bandivade (Swarajya).
Which deity is worshipped here?
The presiding deity is Ramnath, a form of Shiva (The Goan; Swarajya). The temple trust describes Ramnath as a symbol of the unity of Vishnu and Shiva (Shree Ramnath Devasthan).
Why was the deity moved from Loutolim?
Published accounts say the deity was moved from Loutolim in Salcete to its present site in the 16th century to protect it from destruction during Portuguese rule (The Goan; Swarajya; Onmanorama).
What does the name Ramnath mean?
According to tradition, Ramnath means 'lord of Rama' and refers to the Shiva whom Rama worshipped, linking the deity to Rameshwaram (The Goan; Swarajya).
Which other deities are worshipped at the temple?
Under the Panchayatan arrangement, Shanteri, Kamakshi and Laxmi Narayan are among the other deities here (The Goan; Swarajya). Swarajya also names Ganapati, Betal and Kalbhairav (Swarajya).
What is special about the temple's sanctum door?
The door to the inner sanctum is covered in silver and carved with scenes of deities and worship (The Goan; Swarajya).
What is the main festival?
The temple trust lists a five-day Mahashivratri festival in the month of Magha with processions and a chariot ceremony (Shree Ramnath Devasthan).
Sources and attribution
- © OpenStreetMap contributors — location data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
- Wikidata Q7289776 — structured data (CC0)
- Wikipedia — Ramnathi — text facts from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
- The Goan — Ramnathi temple
- Swarajya — There is much more to Goa than its beaches and churches (Jaideep Mazumdar, 1 May 2018)
- Onmanorama — Goa temple bans tourists (IANS)
- Government of Goa — Ponda
- Shree Ramnath Devasthan — History
- Shree Ramnath Devasthan — Annual Festivals
Further reading: Shri Ramnath Temple (Shree Ramnath Devasthan), Ramnathi on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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