About

Hardly one kilometre away from Mangueshi is the village Mardol where nestles the temple of Sri Mahalasa. While it is commonly understood that Mahalasa is a form of "Shakti", "Madalasa" or "Narayani", the deity is also being worshipped as the manifestation of Lord Vishnu as "Mohini".

A huge 'Dipa Stambha' made of five metals greets the visitors at the entrance of the temple, which was built in the 17th century. It has exquisite wooden carvings of ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Huge round pillars held the 'Sabhamandapa' at the entrance, which is being reconstructed to recapture the glorious past of the original temple situated at Verna in "Salcete Taluka".

Attractions Around Mahalasa Temple

Shri Mangesh Temple
Shri Mangesh Temple - 22km from Panjim, near the inland town of Ponda, this 18th century temple is located on a hillock. This is one of the most important Hindu temples in Goa and a local landmark with its lofty white tower. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple complex is architecturally typical of the highly distinctive Goan Hindu temple style.

Location
This temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is distinctive with its white towers, welcoming at the entrance. Small and exquisite, it stands on atop a small hill, surrounded with lush greenery, this temple creates a separate place in the hearts of the onlookers. This place is 22 kms from Panaji and 26 kms from Margao at Priol-Ponda Taluka. This temple is one of the largest, wealthiest and most frequently visited temples in Goa.

Legends Attached to the Temple

The Mangesh Linga is said to have been consecrated on the mountain of Mangireesh (Mongir) on the banks of river Bhagirathi by Lord Brahma himself, from where the Saraswat Brahmins brought it to Trihotrapuri in Bihar. They carried the linga on to Gomantaka and settled at Mathagrama, the present-day Madgoa, establishing their most sacred and ancient temple of Mangesh on the banks of the river Gomati or Zuari as it is called today. Lord Mangesh is worshipped here in the shape of a Shiva linga. According to the legends Lord Shiva had manifested in to a tiger to scare Parvati. Paravati who was paranoid at the sight of the tiger went in search of Lord Shiva.