Vijayadurga

Shri Vijayadurga is located in Kerim, Ponda Taluka - Goa. The Goddess is a family deity as well as mostly considered a Pallavi of many Goud Saraswat Brahmins. According to local legends, it was once said that Shri Shantadurga of Keloshi who is now worshiped in Kavlem wanted to venture out in the Arabian sea and from the coast head to Colva to meet her sister Mahalakshmi (which was then located in Colva, now in (Bandivade/Bandora). The Goddess sought permission from her husband Shri Mangesh Maharudra, (which was then located in Kushasthali, now in Mangeshi) and took her leave. In order to reach the sea, the Goddess had to cross Murgaon - Shankhavali (modern day Mormugoa -Sancaole). On her way, the Goddess witnessed a very gruesome scene, a demon (asura) named Kalantak/Kalantakasura was harassing the Saraswat Brahmins - impeding their rituals and causing great catastrophe to Shankhavali. The Saraswats of Shankhavali had their Kuldevi as Shri Shantadurga of Keloshi and Lakshmi Narasimha as their Kuldev. One of the Brahmin peasant who was troubled witnessed the Goddesss and knelt before her and prayed to save Shankhavali and its inhabitants. He promised to build a temple in her honour.