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
Email: narayani_goa@bsnl.in
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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