Many people equate Goa with beaches and the foaming sea. But there's more to Goa that this. I can actually boast about it and say, yes, there is definitely more to Goa than the beaches and rave parties. Temples ... some dating back to more than 400 years old.
One such temple is the famous Shri Mahalasa Narayani temple in Mhardol village on the Panaji-Fonda road. Shri Mahalasa Narayani is our family deity, Kul Devataa or Kul Devi as we call it. (Kul - Clan/dynasty and Devi - Goddess).
We, the Khandekars, are basically from the Konkan region of Maharashtra and hence our family deity is in that region, Goa to be precise. Well, today Goa is another state but earlier there were no political boundaries, least of all for family deities.
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| Mahalasa Narayani idol at the time of Sunday Palkhi |
The temple (see left) is at Mhardol, just 1 km from Shri Mangeshi temple towards Fonda. Mahalasa, the principal deity worshipped is a form of Vishnu (Mohini during the fight between the Gods and the demons.
This photo (right) may look a bit odd view because of the two poles jutting out bang in the middle of the frame. But I chose this just to show the backdrop of the verdant hills.In fact, most temples in Fonda tehsil boast of a similar view as they are situated in a bowl like geographical feature due to surrounding hills.
The temple has a simple yet profoundly beautiful architecture. What stand out tall (literally and figuratively) are the two deep maalas (garlands of lamps, literal translation). There is this old brick and mortar deep maala which has small niches to keep small oil-lit diyas (lamps). The deep maala is cleaned and painted every year. It is decorated diyas in all niches on special occasions. This is believed to be as old as the temple, that is almost 400 years old.
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| A close up of the old deep mala |
There are various specialties of the temple. One, it is believed to be a 'living deity' as in, you wish for something at the Mahalasa Narayani's feet and she ensures your wish comes true. Another, this is apparently the only temple where a female deity - Goddess - wears a janeu (called the jaanave), the sacred thread worn by Brahmins.
One of the devotees - or was it an entire family - donated this brass deep maala. This too is cleaned regularly and on special occasions - like the ongoing
navaratri festival (nine nights worship of Goddess) each plate is filled with oil to host scores of
jyotis (flame sticks). The close up can give an idea about the grandeur of the same deep maala as seen in the temple's second photo above.
Sunday is Mahalasa Narayani's day. There is a special palakhi (palanquin) procession for the Goddess. The actual murti (idol) is not taken out of the sanctum sanctorum.Instead, a very beautiful, eye catching silver idol is decorated with all the jewellery and flowers and taken around the temple in a procession. Families like mine are called kulaavi (whose kul devi is Mahalasa Narayani). Most of the Kulaavis will try and attend the palakhi procession on Sunday.
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| Golden dome atop the sanctum sanctorum of Sriman Mahalasa Narayan |
Families bring in their newly weds to seek blessings of their beloved Kul Devi. And in most of the cases, the Sunday pujas would be done by the newly weds.
I personally believe that the temple visit offers two benefits. One, of course, you seek blessings of the deity - and get it. And the other, which is to be felt than spoken, is that the serene temple with its pristine surroundings have a soothing effect on one's mind. The visitor, he/she may be or many not be a devotee, leaves the temple rich with spiritual well being and mental calm.
