Shri Mahalasa Temple Goa

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Shri Mahalasa Narayani Mandir Goa

Info About Shri Mahalasa Narayani Mandir Goa

One of the most attractive sights that greets you upon visiting the Shri Mahalasa Narayani Mandir is the gigantic brass bell, which enjoyed legal sanctity under Portuguese rule. The bell did not have a ringer, which was only attached to it when someone wanted to testify.

According to the prevailing belief, if anybody falsely testified while ringing the bell, he or she would die within 3 days. Testifying in the temple, therefore, was considered permissible in the court of law.

The Shri Mahalasa Temple is located in Marsol, a sleepy village located about 22 kilometers from Panaji, the capital city of Goa.

History of Shri Mahalasa Narayani Mandir

It is believed that the presiding deity of the temple was originally housed in an ancient shrine in the village of Verna. Unfortunately, like so many other temples, this one too was destroyed by the Portuguese around 1543.

Fortunately, before the idol could be damaged in any way, the deity was smuggled across the river by the devotees to Mardol, where it is located even today.

Features of the Shri Mahalasa Narayani Mandir

The presiding deity of the temple is Goddess Mahalasa or Mohini, the female avatar of Lord Vishnu. She is depicted as carrying a drinking bowl with her four hands, a Trishuka, sword & severed head.

The goddess is shown standing on a demon, whose blood is being licked by the tiger She is also shown as wearing the sacred thread, known as Yajnopavita, which is quite unusual because the sacred thread is commonly worn only by male deities.

Besides boasting one of the tallest brass lamps in India, the temple also boasts the tallest lamp post in India.

Facilities at Shri Mahalasa Narayani Mandir

The temple has a guest house, or dharamshala of its own, called Shri Mahalasa Saunsthan. It consists of 26 two room blocks & 4 three room blocks, with all of them having attached toilet and bathroom. In each room, there is a cot, 2 mattresses & pillows.

In addition, there is also a canteen where breakfast & meals are available at subsidised rates. In addition, there is a hall which has a seating capacity for 600 people, with space enough for 300 people to sit on the floor. The hall is also rented for marriages & thread ceremonies, when it is not in use by the Saunsthan.

Festivals Held at Shri Mahalasa Temple

Some of the festivals celebrated in the Shri Mahalasa Temple are:

  • Ram Navami
  • Gudi Padwa
  • Shri Ram Janmotsava
  • Gokulashtami
  • Shimgo Melas

Visiting Timings

06:30 AM to 8:30 PM

How to reach?

The Shri Mahalasa Temple is located just 10 kilometers from Ponda City.

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