Kavale

For the French wine grape that is also known as Kavale, see Len de l'El.

Kavale कवळे
village
Kavale Show map of Goa Kavale Show map of India Location in Goa, India
Coordinates: 15°30′28″N 73°48′11″E / 15.507720°N 73.803124°E / 15.507720; 73.803124Coordinates: 15°30′28″N 73°48′11″E / 15.507720°N 73.803124°E / 15.507720; 73.803124
Country	India
State	Goa
District	North Goa
Languages
• Official	Konkani
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	403408
Vehicle registration	GA
Nearest city	Ponda
Website	goa.gov.in

Kavale or Kavalem (Devanagari:कवळे) is a village in Ponda, Goa, India. Kavle/Kawale/Kawle are other variations for the same name.

Entrance to Shanta Durga Temple

Shanta Durga Temple Complex Lake

Main Attraction

Situated at the foothill of Kavalem, the Shantadurga Temple boasts of a huge tank, a Dipa Stambha and Agrashalas. The temple was built in 1728 AD during the reign of Shahu Maharaj of Satara at the request of one of his minister, NaroRam Rege Mantri.

The temples of Shree Shantadurga and Shree Manguesh located at Mangeshi Village, two of the most revered patron deities of the GSB community in Goa are a must visit for any devotee/ tourist coming to Goa.

ShantaDurga Temple

History

The original site of Shri Shantadurga temple is Kardelivana of Quelossim(Keloshi) in Salcette Taluka. To avoid the increasing Portuguese missionary activities in Goa, the GSB community was afraid for the safety of the temples and idols. Hence, the families worshipping Shree Shantadurga and Shree Manguesh, on a moonless night, leaving their homes and hearths crossed over the Zuari River to a safer region which was under the rule of the Muslim King Adilshah. They finally installed the deity at Kavale village known then as Kapilpura or Kaivalyapura in the Antruj Taluka(Present day Ponda).

The territory of Ponda was not under Portuguese rule in the 16th Century and hence was seen as a haven by the Hindus fleeing persecution by the Jesuits and Portuguese. The forests of Ponda were ideal places for Hindus to form makeshift temples with the Idols they had salvaged from the broken temples of Sashti (Salcete).

Shanta Durga Temple - Majestic Deepa Stambha (Lamp Tower)

Reaching Kavale Village

By train

The nearest town of Ponda is located at a distance of 17 km from Carambolim railway station.
The major railway terminus of Margao has bus services catering up to Ponda.

By road

Local bus services operated by private bus owners ply regularly from Ponda Bus Stand.
Motorcycle pilot bike rides from Farmagudi (situated on the Ponda-Panaji road) are available.