Shri Saptakoteshwara Temple is situated at Narve near
Bicholim, 37 km from
Panaji. The presiding deity is Lord Saptakoteshwar, an incarnation of
Lord Shiva. The faceted
shivling worshipped in this temple is known as 'Dharalinga'.
The original temple was situated on the
Divar Island. It was destroyed by the
Portuguese and the idol was shifted to the present site at Narve. The temple was then renovated in 1668 during the period of
Chhatrapati Shivaji.
Since the Saptakoteshwar linga of Lord Shiva is believed to be made of seven metals, the temple got the name Saptakoteshwar. According to legends, the deity is called Saptakoteshwar because he is believed to have fought with seventy million demons.
