The earliest archaeological evidence of Hindu traditions in Goa dates from the regional dynasties of Bhojas and Mauryas (400–600 CE). Especially well preserved from this period are the man-made rock caves of Arvalem (Bicholim) with aniconic representations of Sūrya and Śiva (Mitterwallner, 1981). During the rule of the Deccan-based dynasties of Chalukyas (600–700 CE) and Shilaharas (800–1000 CE), Gopakapattana (today Velha Goa, Tiswadi) became the new capital of Goa, replacing the ancient Bhoja …