Mahamaya Kalika Temple, Kasarpal, Goa

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 12^th 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