Mahalasa Narayani Temple, Mardol – The Temple

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.