Mahalasa
Narayani Temple,
Mardol – The Temple
The Mardol Temple has the
tallest Samai (lamp) or
the Dnyandeepa, and the Deepastambam. It is famous all over the world as it is
highlighted in posters of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation. The Temple
has granite Sabha Mantapa. The roof of the sanctum is made of copper. Presiding
Deity is called as Mahalasa / Narayani / Mohini. She is housed in the sanctum. Mahalasa is
identified with Mohini, the female avatar of
the god Vishnu.
Mahalasa has four hands,
carrying a Trishula, a sword, a severed head, and a
drinking bowl. She stands on a prostrate man or demon, as a tiger or lion licks
blood dripping from the severed head. She also wears the yajno
pavita (sacred thread), which is generally dedicated on male
deities. She stands on a prostrate man or demon, as a tiger or lion licks blood
dripping from the severed head. She is dressed in Alankar (ornaments,
costume) as various Vishnu-related deities at various days in the year.
She is dressed as Vishnu's wife
Lakshmi as well as Vishnu's male forms like Rama, Krishna (Bala
Krishna - infant Krishna, Krishna killing Kaliya),
Vithoba, Venkateswara etc.
Generally, the male or main deity accompanies the right-hand position
(considered superior to the left). However, in joint processions or functions,
Shanta Durga is given the right-hand seat, while Mahalasa sits on her left, as
per the lore that Mahalasa gave the former the honour.
The Mardol Temple complex also
has smaller temples of the goddess Shanta
Durga (Santeri) and Lakshmi
Narayan (Vishnu with his consort Lakshmi).
The shrines for five main ganas (attendants) of Mahalasa, namely
Grampurush, Bhagwati, Dadh, Simha Purush and Mhal Purush, are also located
within the temple premises. Daily worship of all these deities is carried out
before worshipping the main goddess.
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. It
is also famous for its Brass Divli / Samai (oil lamp).
The office of the Sansthan is
situated on the left-hand side of the main entrance. Devotees should go to the
office for booking of rooms and other informations. The Shri Mahalasa Sansthan,
Mardol, has 26 two-room blocks and four three-room blocks, all with an attached
toilet and bathroom. Each room is provided with one cot, two mattresses with
pillows. There is a counter inside the temple premises where Sevas can be
booked, where one can also purchase yearly calendar, containing the details of
all auspicious occasions and other details of temple programmes. Photos of
deities and Stotra books are also available at the counter.
There is a full-fledged canteen
where breakfast and meals are available, at subsidized rates. The Prasad
is served here after the morning and evening aarti. The temple has a tank
for bathing as well as to perform other rituals. There is a hall called Shri
Mahalasa Hall with chairs to seat about 600 persons and for meals, squatting on
the floor for 300 people. The hall is used for Samaradhana on all
functions of the temple. The hall is attached with a cooking section with
cooking vessels, chairs and other required items for the functions. The hall is
rented out for marriages and thread ceremonies to the devotees.
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