Shri Nagesh Maharudra Temple (Nagueshi), Bandode
Shiva (Nagesh / Naguesh Maharudra) temple · Bandode (Bandora), near Farmagudi and Ponda, Goa, India
Photo: Mahabalaindia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Shri Nagesh Temple, also called the Nagueshi or Naguesh temple, is a Shiva temple in the village of Bandode, near Ponda in Goa (Goa government portal; Goa Tourist Directory). Its presiding deity, Lord Naguesh, is regarded as a form of Shiva and was known in earlier times as Nagnath (Goa government portal; temple website). The temple stands about 800 metres from Farmagudi on the road towards Ponda (Goa government portal).
The temple is known for a stone plaque dated 1413 that records a grant of land to it, for its old water tank, and for stone images that may go back to the 7th and 8th centuries (Goa government portal; Outlook Traveller).
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Shri Nagesh Maharudra Temple (Nagueshi), Bandode
The deity is worshipped as Shree Naguesh Maharudra, described as an avatar of Shiva, and Monday, the day associated with Shiva, is a special day of worship here (Gomantak Times). Devotees travel to the temple from across Goa (Gomantak Times).
Unlike many Goan temples that had to be moved during the Portuguese period, this temple is said to have remained at its original site (Goa government portal; Outlook Traveller).
Heritage
History of Shri Nagesh Maharudra Temple (Nagueshi), Bandode
A stone plaque near the temple, dated 1413, records that a local family donated the surrounding lands to the temple during the reign of Veer Pratap Devraya of the Vijayanagara kingdom (Goa government portal; Outlook Traveller). The temple's own history page also refers to this Vijayanagara inscription of 1413 (temple website).
Stone images of Shiva and Parvati and of Ganesha inside the temple are thought to date from the 7th and 8th centuries (Goa government portal; Outlook Traveller), and the temple trust cites archaeologists for this dating (temple website). On this basis the trust suggests the temple existed in or before the 7th century, while leaving the question for experts to settle (temple website).
The building seen today is comparatively recent: it was renovated and patched up around 1880 (Goa government portal; Outlook Traveller).
Architecture and sacred features
The sabhamandap has galleries on both sides with fine wood carvings, showing scenes from the Ramayana on one side and wooden images of the Ashtadikpalas and Gandharvas on the other (Goa Tourist Directory). Colourful images of gods and goddesses ring the base of the deepastambha, or lamp tower (Goa government portal; Outlook Traveller). Besides the Shivalinga in the sanctum, images of Lakshminarayan and Ganapati are installed on either side, and the temple faces west towards its tank (temple website).
The ancient tank, or tali, is surrounded by palms and is laid out so that from a particular spot on its edge a visitor can see the reflection of the image of Lord Naguesh and the lamps burning in the inner sanctum (Goa government portal; Outlook Traveller). Gomantak Times singles out the tank and the green surroundings as what make the temple especially attractive (Gomantak Times).
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
The Goa Department of Tourism asks visitors to observe silence, due respect and proper decorum inside places of worship (Goa Tourist Directory). Dress rules and visiting hours were not confirmed from an official source, so confirm current arrangements with Shree Saunsthan Nagesh Maharudra before visiting.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Shree Saunsthan Nagesh Maharudra (temple website) (official website) before travelling. Last reviewed 11 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Shri Nagesh Maharudra Temple (Nagueshi), Bandode
Chariot procession
Gomantak Times reported a night procession in which the image of Shree Naguesh Maharudra was placed in a decorated chariot and taken around the temple premises, with the temple lit up and decked with flowers (Gomantak Times).
Location
How to Reach Shri Nagesh Maharudra Temple (Nagueshi), Bandode
The temple is in Bandode village, around 25 km from Panaji and about 800 metres from Farmagudi on the way to Ponda (Goa government portal). The Goa Department of Tourism places it about 4 km east of Ponda (Goa Tourist Directory). The Department lists Margao, Vasco, Karmali and Thivim as the convenient railway stations in Goa, and Dabolim Airport is about 29 km from Panaji (Goa Tourist Directory).
Location: Bandode (Bandora), near Farmagudi and Ponda, Goa, India
More in Hindu temples in Goa · Shiva (Nagesh / Naguesh Maharudra) temples
Questions
Shri Nagesh Maharudra Temple (Nagueshi), Bandode: Frequently Asked Questions
Which deity is worshipped at the Nagesh temple in Bandode?
The temple is dedicated to Lord Naguesh, a form of Shiva, who was known in earlier times as Nagnath (Goa government portal; temple website). He is also called Shree Naguesh Maharudra (Gomantak Times).
Where is the temple?
It is in Bandode village, about 25 km from Panaji and roughly 800 metres from Farmagudi on the way to Ponda (Goa government portal). The Department of Tourism puts it about 4 km east of Ponda (Goa Tourist Directory).
What is the 1413 plaque at the temple?
It is a stone plaque near the temple, dated 1413, recording a local family's gift of the surrounding lands to the temple during the reign of Veer Pratap Devraya of Vijayanagara (Goa government portal; Outlook Traveller).
Why is the temple tank famous?
From a certain spot beside the old tank, visitors can see the reflection of Lord Naguesh's image and the lamps lit in the sanctum (Goa government portal; Outlook Traveller).
Was the temple moved during Portuguese rule?
No; unlike many Goan temples, it is said to have stayed at its original site (Goa government portal; Outlook Traveller). The present building was renovated around 1880 (Goa government portal).
What wood carvings can be seen inside?
The sabhamandap galleries carry carved scenes from the Ramayana on one side and wooden images of the Ashtadikpalas and Gandharvas on the other (Goa Tourist Directory).
Which day is special for worship here?
Monday, the day associated with Shiva, is a special day of worship at the temple (Gomantak Times).
Sources and attribution
- © OpenStreetMap contributors — location data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
- Wikidata Q6959056 — structured data (CC0)
- Wikipedia — Nagueshi — text facts from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
- Government of Goa — Shree Nagesh Mandir
- Government of Goa — Goa Tourist Directory 2019 (Temples: Shree Naguesh; Transport)
- Outlook Traveller — Offbeat Alert: Temples To Visit On Your Goa Trip
- Gomantak Times — Nagueshi temple in Goa's Ponda lights up with devotion
- Gomantak Times — No trip to Goa's Ponda is complete without visiting these temples
- Shree Saunsthan Nagesh Maharudra — Shree Saunsthan Nagesh Maharudra: History
- Shree Saunsthan Nagesh Maharudra — Shree Saunsthan Nagesh Maharudra: About the temple
Further reading: Shri Nagesh Maharudra Temple (Nagueshi), Bandode on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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