Isvorachem, Shiva Temple Relics

Salcete has been a center of power, commerce and cultural activities for long before the Portuguese arrived. During illustrious times, between 4th century to 14th century CE, its town of Chandor on the bank of Kushavati river was the capital of the Bhoja and the Kadamba dynasties. Back then, Chandor was known as Chandrapur and was the seat of Kshatriyas or the Hindu warrior caste. Chandrapur fell first to Muslim rulers and then to the Christians, before Goa achieved liberation in the 20th century (1961 CE). Chandor has been under the excavator's lens for almost a century now and continues to be.
These remains of ancient Shiva Temple, also known as Isvorachem, are located in Cotta Chandor, about 12-14 km southeast from Margao. As you reach Chandor's town center, turn left from the Church of Nossa Senhora de Belém, crossing beautiful green paddy fields and towards the Chapel of St. Tiago. Go past Dr. Alfredo Antao Memorial Home for the Aged and the compound of Casa Grande, a huge two-storey building, to reach a point where the road forks left towards this archaeological site with a signage by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) that reads 'Chandor'. Do not be surprised if you turn out to be the lone visitor here, as this spot is not as popular. Most people simply return from Chandor after visiting the commercially-run Portuguese-era Menzes Braganza House. Observe the relics of a huge Nandi bull from the 11th century to the east of the temple remains. Other than that, the temple is virtually absent with only a layout as a reminder. From a security check post, a lone ASI guard keeps watch over what is now a small plot of immense cultural heritage and is happy to meet rare visitors.