Mahamaya Kalika Temple,
Kasarpal, Goa
Mahamaya Kalika Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to
Goddess Kali, located in Kasarpal Village in Bicholim Taluk in
the North Goa district of Goa, India. The
deity is believed to be patron deity of Gomantak
Daivadnya Brahmin of Goa.
Legends
As per local folklore, after killing the demons Sumbha and Nisumbha, the Mahamaya anger
was soothed and the deity manifested herself in a peaceful (Shanta), gentle
(Soumya) form in this place.
History
The deity might have been worshiped by
the copper-smiths of the village originally. The folk tradition believes
that this temple might have been constructed during the Chandragupta
Vikramaditya’s time. There is Copper-plate inscription
dated to 1436 AD under the possession of the Archaeology department of Goa.
It states that the Brahmin Devasharma of Kashyapa Gotra,
hailing from the region bathed by river Jahnavi,
fleeing from the invasion of the Turukshas (Muslims),
came to Konkan.
His descendant Nagadeva, a worshiper of Shiva went to
Pallika (Kasarpal) and in presence of Mahajanas,
and the copper-smiths of the village, gave on the first day of the month Chaitra of
Shri Nala of Salivahana era 1358, the village of Varandem (which includes
Kasarpal) as gift to the son of Rupa Sheti, named Lakshman Sheti, who was
born by the grace of Devi.
Kalamba seems to be another name of the deity
though, the name Kalika appears in the copper-plate inscription mentioned
above. During Goa Inquisition, when Goa was in turmoil,
most of the people of Daivajna caste took refuge in the temple premises to
elude conversion to Roman
Catholicism and prosecution.
The Temple
The temple is a masterpiece of Goan temple architecture,
with a huge hall for public gatherings during festivals and meetings (Sabha Mandapa a
stage and a Nagarkhana which is above the stage is used to play drums
and shehnai during
specific times of the day and during specific rituals), the main hall inside
the temple, path for circumambulation
and sanctum, with a huge golden Kalasha.
The Temple is surrounded by Agrashalas,
two beautiful gates (Praveshdwaras) and a magnificent lamp tower (Deepa
stambha).
The presiding deity of the temple is Kali worshipped
in the form of Mahamaya.
She is housed in the sanctum. The idol is about 800 years old and is a
masterpiece of Kadamba sculptures. The deity is four armed, shows each hand
carrying variously a sword (Khadga), a trident (Trishul), a Shield
(Khetaka) and a skull bowl (Kapala), her mount lion, can be seen at her
feet.
Devi Panchayatana (worshiped in the main sanctum
sanctorum, includes Shivalinga, Saligrama etc.), Ravalnath,
Hedgeshwar, Shetyeshwar and Palnath are the other deities worshipped in this
Temple. A Buddhist idol of Shakyamuni is
found in the temple, as a remnant of the Buddhist sect that prevailed in Goa
till the early 12th century AD.
Museum:
It is the first temple in Goa to have a private museum
on its own, titled as Kaalamba Sangrahaalaya. It has objects of ancient,
medieval and the modern period. The museum has around 10 small galleries
housing rare antiquities including stone sculptures, brass lamps, wooden and
silver artifacts etc.
Festivals
The Shishirotsav of Kasarpal temple attracts
pilgrims from Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka. It is a 10-day-long celebration,
includes procession of deities in different Vahanas, and various other
rites like Ganga Pujan, Homa,
Dhwaja Rohana, Gulalotsava, Rathotsava etc.
An orchestra known as Suvari is played during the festival which
includes musical instruments Ghumot, Kasale, cymbals
and Shehnai.
Other important festivals are Ratha
Saptami, Navaratri, Vasant
Puja, Akshaya Tritiya, Dasara,
Avali Bhojan. Silver Palanquin procession of the deity on
every Chaturdashi of the dark fortnight of Hindu
lunar calendar is also a major attraction.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Kasarpal Bus
Stop, 7 Kms from Dodamarg, 7 Kms from Assonora Bus Stand, 10 Kms from Thivim
Railway Station, 13 Kms from Bicholim, 31 Kms from Panjim and 56 Kms from Goa
Airport. The Temple is situated on Assonora to Dodamarg Route.
Location
I want mobile number of Bhatt ji of this temple
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