Mangueshi Temple

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Overview

Shri Mangesh temple is located at Mangeshi Village in Priol, Ponda taluk, Goa. It is at a distance of 1 km from Mardol close to Nagueshi. From the capital of Goa, Panaji, it is at a distance of 21 km and 26 km from Margao. This temple is one of the important and most regularly visited temples in Goa. The Mangueshi temple stands tall amongst the many Hindu temples that enliven the Goan landscape. One of the survivors of the devastation let loose by the Portuguese, the Manguesh temple was initially situated at Kushasthali (present day Cortalim). With the risk of tyranny looming, the linga was moved from the original temple to the present locality at Priol, then a part of the colonies of Sultan Adil Shah.

After relocating the deity in 1560, the Sri Manguesh temple had undergone multiple rounds of restoration during the rule of the Marathas and again in the year 1890. As part of the renovation of the temple in 1973, a golden kalas (holy vessel) was fitted on the top of the tall dome of the temple.In 2011, the temple along with others in the area instituted a dress code on visitors of the temple.

About the Temple

This temple had its origins in Kushasthali Cortalim, a village in Saxty (Salcette) which fell to the invading Portuguese in 1543. In the year 1560, when the Portuguese started converting the locals into Christianity, the Saraswats of Vatsa Gotra relocated the Mangesh Linga from the original site at the Kushasthali or Cortalim on the banks of river Aghanashini (Zuari) to its current position at Mangeshi in Priol village of Atrunja Taluka, which was under the rule of the Hindu kings of Sonde of Antruz Mahal (Ponda), to be more safe.

The original location had a very simple structure, and the present structure was constructed under Maratha rule, some 150 years after it had been moved. The Peshwas gave the village of Mangeshi to the temple in 1739 on the suggestion of their Sardar, Shri Ramchandra Malhar Sukhtankar, who was a steadfast devotee of Shri Mangesh. Oddly, just a few years after it was constructed, this part too fell into Portuguese hands in 1763, but by now, the Portuguese had lost their initial spiritual enthusiasm and had become quite accepting of other religions, and so, this edifice remained unscathed.

The 450-year-old Shri Mangesh temple devoted to Shiva stands out with its modest and yet delicately graceful edifice. The temple design contains numerous domes, pillars and handrails. There is a conspicuous Nandi Bull and a lovely seven-story deepstambha (lamp tower), which stands inside the temple compound. The temple also has a glorious water tank, which is supposed to be the oldest part of the shrine.

The design of the Mangesh temple echoes an combination of Hindu, Christian and Muslim styles of construction. Lord Manguesh is an manifestation of Lord Shiva and the Shivalinga inside the fluorite designed sanctum sanctorum is flanked by dwarpalakas(guards). During the yearly Jatra held in January, the temple is lit radiantly and the god is taken out in a palanquin and paraded in enormous chariots.The Sabha Griha is a expansive hall which accommodates over 500. The beautification comprises the chandeliers of the nineteenth century. The central part of the Sabha Griha leads to the Garbha Griha where the idol of Mangesh is consecrated.

About the Deity

The main temple is devoted to Bhagavan Manguesh, an personification of Shiva. Bhagavan Mangesh is revered here as Shiva linga. According to the myth, Lord Shiva had manifested as a tiger to scare his wife Parvati. Paravati, who was terrified at the spectacle of the tiger, went in quest of Lord Shiva and cried out, "Trahi Mam girisha!" (Oh Lord of Mountains, save me!). Upon hearing the words, Lord Shiva turned himself back to his original form. The words "mam girisha" became related with Lord Shiva and over time the words got abridged to Manguirisha or Manguesh.He is the kuldevta of many Goud Saraswat Brahmins.

The complex also has temples of Goddess Parvati and God Ganesha. The other divinities in the temple are Nandikeshvar, Gajana, Bhagavati and the Gramapurusha Deva Sharma of the Kaudanya gotra. The secondary shrines to the rear of the main building house Devtas like Mulakeshwsar, Virabhadra, Saanteri, Lakshminarayana, Suryanarayan, Garuda and Kala Bhairav.

Amid that time, the maternal cousin of Prabhatsen, the Great King, Vir Vikramaditya went ahead the journey of Dwarka and turned into his visitor. On seeing the state of his cousin, King Vir Vikramaditya requested the reason and he was told this story of torture. So the colossal Ruler Vikram chose and took the presence of Prabhatsen and strove for fulfilling the condemnation of his cousin. Seeing show of adoration and valor satisfied Mataji, so she conceded a wish to him. Lord Vikram requested 2 wishes. 1.To soothe his cousin of the condemnation and 2.To turn into his visitor at the capital city Ujjain of his kingdom of Malvan. She allowed his wishes. In any case about tolerating his wish about her visit to Ujjain, she kept the condition that she would take after the his band by walking and she denied him to think back and check whether she was nearing or not which he concurred and he looked then Mataji will stop by then just. On coming to the edges of his capital city of Ujjain on the banks of stream Shipra, King Vir Vikramaditya out ofcuriositythought back and accordingly Harshidhi Mataji ceased there itself. Indeed today the Temple of Harshidhi Mataji is still there and It is said that from that point forward, Mataji goes day by day there for night stay and returns to Koyla slope amid the day. On the northern side of the temple is the flame pit, where Harshad Mata used to dish and eat the King of Minalpur Prabhatsen. It is an extremely uncommon spot for Jamnagari individuals, Even today numerous individuals stroll from city to this temple ( this temple is 120 KM from city ) .This is not quite the same as The Harsiddhi temple in Ujjain which is one of the fifty Shakti peethas where the Kurpara(Elbow) of Devi fell.

Legend and stories

The Mangesh Linga is said to have been consecrated on the mountain of Mangireesh (Mongir) on the banks of river Bhagirathi by Lord Brahma, from where the Saraswat Brahmins brought it to Trihotrapuri in Bihar. They carried the linga to Gomantaka and established it at Mathagrama, the present-day Margao, establishing their most hallowed and ancient temple of Mangesh on the banks of the river Gomati or Zuari as it is known today.

Festivals

The yearly festivals comprise Rama Navami, Akshaya Tritiya, Anant Vritotsava, Navaratri, Dussera, Diwali, Magha Poornima Festival (Jatrotsav) and Mahashivratri. Magha Poornima Festival commences on Magha Shukla Saptami and concludes on Magha Poornima.

Best time to visit

Like most temples in Goa, Mangueshi Temple has many pujas being done daily. Shodshopchar pujas, namely Abhisheka, Laghurudra and Maharudra, are performed every morning. This is followed by Maha-Aarti at noon and Panchopchar pooja at night.The Vigraha of Manguesh is taken out for a procession in the Palakhi with music and fanfare before the evening Aarti, each Monday.

Accessibility

Air: The nearest airport at Dabolim (30 km from Panaji) has frequent flights from Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Bangalore and Kochi, besides chartered flights from overseas.

Rail: The two railway stations- at Vasco da Gama and Margao- also have a number of trains arriving at Goa from other parts of the country.

Bus: There are regular bus connectivity to Old Goa from Panaji and other places in Goa.

Temple Address