ABOUT SHRI VIMLESHWAR TEMPLE
Shri Vimleshwara Temple is located in Rivona village of Sanguemtaluka in the state of Goa, west coast of India. Rivona is a small sprawling village about 23kms from Margao, Goa.Rolling hills and lush green forested terrain dotted by small cultivated fields and coconut trees swinging to the rhythm of the breeze provide a picturesque landscape for this village. This beautiful village known for its refreshing springs and verdant beauty is irrigated by the passage of the perennial flowing Kushavatiriver, which runs through Quepem and enters into the Arabian sea. Rivona has remained a peaceful village throughout much of its existence,a serenity which manifests in the village atmosphere.
Nestled in the serenity of the beautiful village of Rivona is Shri Vimleshwara temple.Shri Vimleshwara is a form of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva (Sanskrit: Auspicious One), one of the main deities in Hinduism is regarded as the representation of the Supreme Being. In Hinduism, Lord Shiva is worshipped as the paramount Lord and is regarded as the Destroyer or Transformer. Lord Shiva destroys and dissolves everything into nothingness and reproduces that which has been destroyed and dissolved to create new life. Lord Shiva is usually worshipped in the abstract form of a Shivalinga, which represents this reproductive power.
Vedic literature extols the virtues of Lord Shiva as a great ascetic who is forever in deep meditation. Lord Shiva is known as the God of mercy and kindness. He protects his devotees from all evil and blesses his followers with grace, knowledge and peace. The pristine and quite edifice of Shri Vimleshwara temple is in the southern part of Rivona near the Kushawati river. A large Praveshadwara-an elaborate gateway tower serves as the main entrance to the temple.The road gradually slopes down from this main entrance leading towards the temple.As one enters into the temple premises, the terrace style cultivated minifarms on either side provide a breathtakingly beautiful panoramic surrounding for the temple.
A magnificent temple water tank (Talli) is on the left.There is a very interesting stone cow sculpture in the tank. If one observes closely, one can see a small calf, underneath the cow’s udder. The water in the tank is directed in such a manner that it enters from the cow’s mouth in the front and flows out from the back. Above the sculpture of the cow is a beautiful stone sculpture of a Nagini. In front of the temple entrance is a 5 storied DeepaStambha or Lamp Tower. A DeepaStambhais a distinctive architectural feature of most Goantemples and is similar to a coastal lighthouse. On festival days the DeepaStambha is decorated with hundreds of oil lamps and the effect is spectacular. Adjacent to the DeepaStambha, is a TulsiVrindavan in front of the temple.
The main door of the temple faces East. The temple is painted in light colors and is covered with clay tiles. A Golden Kalashaadorns the top of the temple dome.At the entrance of the temple is a spacious main hall or Sabhagriha. From the sabhagriha one reaches the inner sanctuary or sacred garbhagriha, wherein resides the moorti of Lord Vimleshwara. The garbhagriha of the Vimleshwar temple houses a very old shivalinga.The moolamurti or the main idol in the inner shrine is a black stone shivalinga. Thisshivalinga is studded with a metallic mask moorti called the alankar (adornment) moorti.The extraordinary silver craftsmanship of the ornate altar in the inner shrine, with beautiful and intricate figurines provides a rich and beautiful home for Lord Vimleshwar. Two big lamps hanging in the garbagriha enhance the tranquility of the beautiful shrine.
The beautiful alankaramoorti of Lord Vimleshwara portrays him with a serene and composed disposition.The word Vimaleshwara is a composite of two words: Vimal (pure) and Ishwara (God).One can feel powerful vibrations emanating from the gleaming, beautifully decorated moorti. The spiritual ambienceof the temple seems to uplift and elevate the spirits and one is comforted by a sense of unfathomable solace in the divine presence of Lord Vimleshwara.
Directly outside the main shrine facing Lord Vimleshwara is the image of Nandi bull, in black stone.Nandi is the bull, who serves as a mount of the Lord Shiva. He is Lord Shiva’s vahana or vehicle. He is also Shiva’s foremost disciple and the gatekeeper of Shiva’s abode.
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