Thursday, May 28, 2020

Mahalasa Narayani Temple, Mardol, Goa

Mahalasa Narayani Temple, Mardol, Goa
Mahalasa Narayani Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Mahalasa, located in Mardol Town in Ponda Taluk in the North Goa district of Goa, India. The Temple is situated very close to the famous Mangueshi Temple.


Legends
During the Samudra manthan (churning of the ocean of milk) by the gods and demons, the demons steal the pot of Amruta (elixir of immortality). Lord Vishnu took the form of the enchantress, Mohini. Mohini seized the Amruta from the demons and served it to the gods. Mohini is worshipped as Mahalasa Narayani or Mahalasa. She is considered as a form of Mohini, the female avatar of the Lord Vishnu and is called Mahalasa Narayani.


Mahalsa is also worshipped as the consort of the folk god Khandoba, a form of the Lord Shiva. She is associated with Parvati, Shiva's wife as well as Mohini. It is also believed that she is incarnation of Parvati with the beauty of Mohini as per Lord Shiva's wish. Goud Saraswat Brahmins as well as Vaishnavas from Goa and South Canara identify her with Mohini and call her Narayani and Rahu Matthani, the slayer of Rahu, as told in the Bhavishya Purana.


History
It is believed the idol of Mahalasa was  originally located in Nepal. She was moved to Aurangabad in Maharashtra. During Mughal rule, Aurangabad fell under the Muslim rule and the icon was moved to a secret location in Goa. Later, a small temple was built at Verna, Salcette. Verna is also called as Velham or Old Mardol. It was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1567, though the icon of the Mahalasa was rescued. It was shifted here from Velham to avoid destruction during the forcible Christianization of Salcette. The current temple was built in Mardol (which was outside Portuguese control) in the 17th century CE.


The temple is famous in Goa for its huge brass bell. The bell does not have a ringer. The ringer was attached only when somebody wanted to testify. It was believed that the goddess will punish the person by killing the person in three days who lied while ringing the bell. The belief was so strong that during the Portuguese rule the testimony in the temple was considered acceptable in the court of law. The Temple banned entry of foreigners into the temple citing objectionable dressing and conduct as the reason in 2011.


The Temple
For brief details, please refer below link;
Festivals
The Magha Jatra (festival) at the temple and Navaratri (festival dedicated to the Hindu goddess) are the main annual temple celebrations. Sunday and Panchami holds a special significance for the temple and the presiding goddess. Palakhi Seva is performed in addition to other rituals on this day. The goddess is taken out for a ride around the temple in a palanquin (Palakhi). The palanquin is decked up with flowers and traditional colourful decorations.
A large crowd gathers to participate in the event and the devotees sing her praises. If any Sunday or any Panchami falls on a day of any special Vahanotsava, the Palakhi Utsava is replaced by that Vahanotsava. If a Sunday and a Panchami falls on the same day, the Palakhi procession of Shri Santeri leaves out first. Shri Vithobalankar Pooja is offered to Shri Mahalasa on every Ekadashi day.
Priests
There are three families of Archakas in the Temple. The family of Bhatji performing Sevas on behalf of Gowda Saraswat Brahmin, the family of Khedekar performing Sevas on behalf of other Brahmins and the family of Acharya performing Sevas on behalf of people of other community.
Contact
Mahalasa Temple,
Mardol, Ponda,
Goa – 403 404
Phone: +91 832 234 3421 / 234 3883
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 200 meters from Mardol Bus Stop, 8 Kms from Ponda, 14 Kms from Karmali Railway Station, 22 Kms from Goa Airport and 24 Kms from Panjim. It is on the National Highway No: 4A connects the cities of Panaji to Ponda and Margao. Many inter-state government-run and privately-operated buses travel through Mardol.
Location

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