Mahalaxmi Temple, Bandora, Goa
Mahalaxmi Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess
Lakshmi, consort of Lord Vishnu, located in the Bandora Village near Ponda
Town in Ponda Taluk in the North Goa district
of Goa, India. It is
one of the most visited places in Goa and an important pilgrimage site for
Hindus.
History
The Goddess Mahalakshmi was worshipped by the Shilahara
rulers (750-1030 A. D) and the early Kadamba Kings of Goa. The temple was
originally in the village of Kolambe near present day Colva beach. When the
Portuguese destroyed it, devotees smuggled the idol of Mahalakshmi first to the
town of Talaulim where it resided in the home of a priest. It was then moved to
its present location in Bandivade in Ponda where a small temple was established
in 1866.
The Temple
The Temple is considered the abode of the original
Goddess of the Shakti cult. It has a modern structure. The facade is a
beautifully decorated arch and entrance with sculptures of two elephants around
the outer spire. There is a black stone Deepa Sthamba next to another Deepa Sthamba
bearing the temple colour facing the facade. There is a Tulsi Vrindavan in the
outer corridor.
The Sabha Mandapa has beautiful antique chandeliers
attached to the ceiling. Its walls are adorned with paintings engravings of
Lord Hanuman, Lord Garuda and Lord Ganesha. The inner walls are covered with
paintings, engravings depicting stories of the puranas. It has twenty-four
panels painted with images from Bhagwat Geeta along with the incarnations of
Lords Vishnu. It is considered one of the few galleries of wooden images of
Vishnu in India.
The idol of Mahalaxmi with four arms holding a sickle, a
club, a dagger and a vessel containing Prasad and flowers. The image of
Mahalakshmi has a close resemblance to that of Mahalakshmi at Kolhapur, the
main centre of worship. Her special feature is that she wears a Linga on her
head and is considered a peaceful or Satvik form of the Devi. There was another
idol of Devi made of Panchaloka besides the stone idol.
Festivals
Navaratri is celebrated grandly here. Other festivals
celebrated are Shri Ram Navami, Shri Mahalakshmi Pratishthapana Day in Vaisakha
and Maha Shivaratri Festival in the month of Magha. The main idol of the
Goddess Mahalaxmi is also taken out during the festival of Mahashivaratri, on a
chariot carried on the shoulders of devotees.
Contact
Mahalaxmi Temple,
Bandora, Ponda,
Goa – 403 401
Phone: +91 832 233 5355 /
233 5434
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Ramnathi Bus
Stop, 4 Kms from Ponda, 4 Kms from Ponda Bus Stand, 20 Kms from Karmali Railway
Station, 22 Kms from Madgaon Junction Railway Station, 24 Kms from Verna
Railway Station, 24 Kms from Goa Airport and 30 Kms from Panjim. The temple is
situated in the village of Bandora or Bandivade close to Ponda Town.
No comments:
Post a Comment