Goddess Durga Temple is situated on the peak of the Sadashivgad Hill Fort in Karwar, Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka.
The fort lies on the north bank of the River Kali, right at the confluence of the river and the Arabian Sea, forming one of the most scenic views along the Karnataka coast.
The temple stands proudly above the famous Kali River Bridge, surrounded by lush greenery and overlooking the sparkling blue sea.
The presiding deity is Goddess Durga, also worshipped as Shantadurga Devi, the divine mother who represents strength, compassion, and protection.
She is considered the guardian goddess of Karwar, protecting the coastal town, fishermen, and sailors from storms and sea disasters.
The temple attracts not only Hindu devotees but also other religions who come to pay their respects — symbolizing unity and faith across communities.
The temple, located at the summit of the fort, is a modest yet spiritually powerful structure.
It features a simple stone sanctum (Garbhagriha) with the idol of Goddess Durga installed facing east.
Ancient cannons and fort walls still surround the hill, reminding visitors of the temple’s strong link to Karwar’s military and maritime past.
From the temple courtyard, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the Kali River merging with the Arabian Sea — a sight both serene and divine.
The Durga Temple at Sadashivgad holds a deep historical connection with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, one of India’s greatest warrior kings.
He visited Karwar (then known as Kadwad) and Sadashivgad twice — in 1665 and again in 1673 — to strengthen the fort and restore the temple.
It is believed that Shivaji installed the idol of Shantadurga Devi here and granted the rights of daily worship to the local Bhandari family head, a tradition that continues even today.
The fort itself was later rebuilt in 1715 by Basavlingraj, who named it Sadashivgad in memory of his father, Sadashivlingraj. He reused the stones of an older fort to create the new one.
According to local belief, the Goddess Durga manifested atop the Sadashivgad hill to protect the land and its people from evil forces that once troubled the region.
When Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj conquered the fort in 1665 after crossing the River Kali, he felt the divine presence of the Mother Goddess. Guided by his spiritual vision, he installed the idol of Shantadurga Devi on the hill and ordered her worship as the protector of the fort and the sea.
During ancient times, the Goddess was worshipped before every battle and naval expedition as the divine guardian of the port.
Locals believe that during heavy storms or floods, her divine presence calms the sea and protects the people of Karwar.
Even today, devotees recall Shivaji’s devotion to the Goddess.
The Durga Temple celebrates all major Shakti festivals, especially Navaratri and Dussehra, when the hilltop shrine glows with lamps and devotees offer special pujas and prayers. The annual temple jatre draws large crowds from Karwar and nearby villages, and the Deepotsava (Festival of Lights) beautifully illuminates the fort and temple surroundings. Daily rituals and offerings are performed by the Bhandari family priests, following the tradition established during the time of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
