Goans, Here’s Good News! 50% Concession for Seniors on Ekadasha Teertha Yatra

The Goa Government, through the Goa Tourism Department, has launched the Ekadasha Teertha Yatra, an 11-temple spiritual tourism circuit aimed at promoting Goa’s rich religious, cultural and heritage traditions. As part of the initiative, Goa Tourism is offering a 50 per cent concession to senior citizens participating in the curated pilgrimage experience.

The first organised yatra covered four prominent temples and saw 27 women take part in the one-day spiritual journey. The initiative is part of the Goa Government’s broader tourism strategy to diversify Goa Tourism beyond beaches and strengthen spiritual, cultural and experience-led tourism.

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The Goa Government has launched the Ekadasha Teertha Yatra under the Goa Tourism Department, introducing a curated spiritual tourism circuit connecting 11 revered temples across the state.

The initiative is designed to promote Goa’s spiritual heritage, temple traditions, cultural identity and lesser-explored destinations, while providing visitors with an organised pilgrimage experience.

The first tour under the initiative was flagged off from Shree Mahadev Temple at Tambdi Surla and covered four prominent temples in a single day.

A total of 27 women participated in the inaugural tour, marking the beginning of the rollout of the Goa Tourism Department’s temple circuit.

The first itinerary covered:

Shree Mahadev Temple, Tambdi Surla
Shree Devkikrishna Devasthan, Marcel
Shree Mahaganapati Devasthan, Khandola
Shree Anant Devasthan, Savoi-Verem

50% Concession for Senior Citizens Under Ekadasha Teertha Yatra

One of the key features of the Ekadasha Teertha Yatra is the 50 per cent concession for senior citizens participating in the curated temple circuit.

The concession is intended to make the organised pilgrimage more affordable and inclusive, allowing senior citizens to experience Goa’s spiritual heritage while travelling as part of a structured tourism programme.

By combining accessibility with curated travel, the Goa Tourism Department is positioning the temple circuit as an experience that can appeal to families, senior citizens, pilgrims, cultural travellers and tourists seeking a different side of Goa.

11 Temples Under Goa Tourism’s Ekadasha Teertha Yatra

1. Shree Mahaganapati Devasthan, Khandola Located at Khandola in Ponda, the temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and is an important spiritual destination in Goa. It serves as the starting point of the Ekadasha Teertha Yatra’s first-day itinerary.

2. Shree Devkikrishna Devasthan, Marcel The historic Devkikrishna Devasthan at Marcel is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is an important centre of Goa’s Hindu religious traditions. Marcel is also known for its distinctive temple festivals and cultural heritage.

3. Shree Anant Devasthan, Savoi-Verem The Anant Devasthan at Savoi-Verem is dedicated to Lord Anant, a form associated with Lord Vishnu. Surrounded by Goa’s green hinterland, the temple adds a strong cultural and spiritual dimension to the pilgrimage route.

4. Shree Mahadev Temple, Tambdi Surla The ancient Mahadev Temple at Tambdi Surla is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of Goa’s best-known heritage temples. Located amid the Western Ghats’ forest landscape, it combines spiritual significance with Goa’s natural heritage.

5. Shree Brahmadev Devasthan, Brahma Karmali, Valpoi The Brahmadev Devasthan at Brahma Karmali near Valpoi is dedicated to Lord Brahma and is regarded as an important spiritual site in Goa. Its inclusion highlights the lesser-known religious heritage of Goa’s hinterland.

6. Shree Saunsthan Dattawadi, Sankhali The Dattawadi shrine at Sankhali is associated with Lord Dattatreya and forms part of the second day of the Ekadasha Teertha circuit. The temple represents Goa’s continuing traditions of devotion and spiritual worship.

7. Shree Saptakoteshwar Devasthan, NarveThe Saptakoteshwar Temple at Narve is dedicated to Lord Shiva and holds major historical significance in Goa. Saptakoteshwar was the family deity of the Kadamba dynasty, making the temple an important part of Goa’s religious and historical heritage.

8. Shree Parashuram Devalaya, PoinguinimThe Parashuram Devalaya at Poinguinim is dedicated to Lord Parashuram and represents an important spiritual tradition in South Goa. It forms part of the final day of the Ekadasha Teertha pilgrimage circuit.

9. Shree Shantadurga Kunkalikarin Devasthan, Fatorpa The Shantadurga Kunkalikarin Devasthan at Fatorpa is dedicated to Goddess Shantadurga and is an important temple in South Goa. The shrine reflects Goa’s rich tradition of Shakti worship and temple culture.

10. Shree Damodar Temple, ZambaulimThe Damodar Temple at Zambaulim is dedicated to Lord Damodar, a form of Lord Shiva, and is an important pilgrimage destination in South Goa. The temple is particularly associated with the region’s longstanding religious traditions.

11. Shree Hari Mandir, MargaoLocated in Margao, Shree Hari Mandir is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is an important spiritual centre in South Goa. Its inclusion brings the Ekadasha Teertha circuit into one of Goa’s major urban and cultural centres.

Spiritual Tourism Becomes an Important Part of Goa’s Tourism Strategy

Goa’s spiritual heritage is deeply connected with its villages, temples, festivals, rivers, forests and community traditions.

The Department of Tourism has highlighted how sacred spaces across Goa continue to function as living centres of faith and community life rather than simply being tourist attractions. Its spiritual tourism approach encourages visitors to experience these destinations through their traditions, rituals, landscapes and local communities.

The state has also received recognition for its spiritual tourism efforts. Goa Tourism won the Spiritual Tourism Initiative award at TTF Hyderabad 2025, reflecting the department’s growing focus on faith-based and experience-led tourism.

The Ekadasha Teertha Yatra fits directly into this wider tourism strategy.

The Independent Voice of Goa

The Independent Voice of Goa

The Independent Voice of Goa