Shri Damodar Temple, Zambaulim

Shri Damodar Temple, also called Shri Damodara Sansthaan, stands beside the Kushawati River near Zambaulim village, on the border of Quepem taluk in south Goa, and is 22 km from Margao. It houses a celebrated image of Shiva as Damodar, and Chamundeshwari, Mahakali and Mahesha are honoured here too.

The deity once had a temple at Margao, then Mathagam, where the Holy Spirit Church now stands. When the Portuguese destroyed temples in the area in the 1560s, the Mahajans of Margao carried their deities to Zambaulim, where the Desais of Rivona gave land for new temples. The temple belongs to the GSB community, whose members can stay in the complex. Shigmo, the Goan spring festival of colours, is the main celebration, lasting a week with exchanges of gulal and feasts. Kartik Poornima, Ashwin Poornima and Mahashivratri are also marked.