Rajan Parrikar Photo Blog

Siddhanath Hill

An ancient shrine.

The shrine of Siddhanath (Lord Shiva) is perched atop the eponymous hill at an elevation of 370 metres near the village of Borim, Goa. The linga here is of great antiquity dating back to the 12th C when the Nath Panthi movement flourished in Goa. This sect also established their presence elsewhere in Goa: the Shaivite deities Adinath of Usgaon, Mallinath of Mashel, and a few others are traced to the Nath Panthis. The name of the southern city Madgaon is derived from ‘Mathagram’ (matha = monastary, grama = village) which in turn hearkens back to the Nath Panthi settlements. (See Socio Cultural History of Goa by V.R. Mitragotri, Institute Menezes Braganza, 1999.)

From this vantage location, there is a fine view to be had of the Zuari river basin. Until very recently, getting to it was not easy and required a 2 miles trudge up a steep dirt path (see last picture below). A new sealed road completed in the last 2/3 years has now enabled access to cars and other vehicles. This is a serene environment, perhaps the kind of isolated idyll the Nath Panthis sought for their practices.

Priest, Siddhanath temple on Siddhanath hill, Borim, Goa

Offerings to Lord Siddhanath
5D, 24-105L

 
Siddhanath temple on Siddhanath Hill

Shrine on Siddhanath Hill
5D Mark III, TS-E 24L II

 
Kalbhairav on Siddhanath Hill in Borim

Image of Kalbhairav in the temple compound
5D Mark III, Zeiss ZE 50 f/2 MP

 
Old path up Siddhanath Hill

Old path up Siddhanath Hill (2007)
5D, 24-105L

 
 
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