Shanta Durga Temple

The temple is dedicated to Shantadurga, the goddess who mediates between Vishnu and Shiva. The deity is also called 'Santeri' colloquially. This avatar of shree Jagdamba Devi which had come to make peace (Shanti) between Shree Vishnu and Shree Shiva, came to be known as Shree Shantadurga Devi.


Local legends tell of a battle between Shiva and Vishnu The battle was so fierce that Lord Brahma prayed to Parvati to intervene, which she did in the form of Shantadurga. Shantadurga placed Vishnu on her right hand and Shiva on her left hand and settled.

The original temple at Cavellossim (Quelshim) in Salsette was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1564. The devi was shifted to Kavalem and worship was continued there. The site on which the original temple of Shree Shantadurga stood at Cavellossim is known as "Deoolbhata" and it is in the possession of the temple trustthe fight.