Shri Mangesh Temple, Priol / Mangeshim
Location |
History |
Legends |
Description of the Temple |
The 18th century, Shri Mangesh Temple, lies on the north west of Ponda in Priol. Considered to be the most important temple in Goa, it belongs to the typical Goan Hindu temple style of architecture. This picturesque little temple is built on a hilltop amidst sprawling farmlands. The temple has shrines of Parvati (consort of Shiva – Destroyer of the Universe) and Ganesha (the elephant-god of Prosperity and Wisdom). Most of the Goan temples are noted for their chiseled architecture and their distinctive style. A beautiful seven-storeyed deepstambha (lamp tower), typical of Goan temple architecture, stands at the gates in the temple complex., set against a sylvan backdrop of woodlands and rolling green hills that is both pleasing to the eye and satisfying to the soul. Baroque balustrades and pilasters piled around the sides of a grand octagonal sanctuary tower. There are other deities in the temple are Nandikeshvar, Gajana, Bhagavati and the Gramapurusha Deva Sharma of the Vatsa gotra. Other features to see here are the ancient stone devatas housed in the subsiduary shrines to the rear of the main building are Mulakeshwsar, Virabhadra, Lakshminarayana, Shanta Durga and Kala Bhairav. The 400-year-old Shri Mangesh temple dedicated to Shiva stands out with its simple and yet exquisitely elegant structure. |
This temple was a source of inspiration to many for spiritual pursuits. Towards the end of eighteenth century, Naik Swami, who was resting in the temple on his way to Kashi, dreamt that Mangeshi was nothing else but Kashi itself. He accordingly spent the rest of his life in Mangeshi itself to serve the Lord. Among the numerous books written by him mention may be made of the poetic translation in Marathi of Shri Shiva Gita. His death anniversary is observed on Vaishakh Vadya Dwadashi.
Worship and Festivals |
Founders
The original
founders of this Devathan were 24 families of Gaud Saraswat Bhramin community.
All the development and the maintenance cost are borne by their successors who
are called the "Mahajans" of the Temple. The income of the Temple is
derived from some properties purchased by the Temple, from the Mahajans who
support the temple monetarily and the offerings made by the Devotees contribute up to feasible
extent. These funding
are used for the Temple celebrations of daily pujas and other religious
performances. Unarguably it is known as one of the wealthiest temple. The Agrashalas around the main Temple of Shri Mangesh were built
by the mahajans to accommodate mainly the mahajans who visit the temple to
perform religious rites and rituals. The affairs of the temple are managed by a
committee elected every three years from amongst the mahajans under special bye
laws of the temple and under general law applicable to the Hindu Devasthans Of
Goa. The visitors are allowed to enter the temple up to the image of the "Nandi"
and cannot go beyond that unless they take bath and put on holy clothes.
Following the adoption of the constitution in 1885 for the management of temple and its properties, the plan for constructing the present temple by raising funds from the devotees was conceived. The work commenced in October 1888 and the temple was ready in 1890. The original building of the Temple underwent changes during the course of time and the present building was completed and inaugurated on February 17th, 1973.
Main Festivals/utsavs of the temple.
Chaitra Shukla Pratipada
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Anniversary celebration of new idol Pancha Murthy Darshan at noon Sukhaasan at night |
Chaitra Shukla Navami | : | Ramnavami Celebration |
Chaitra Shukla Dashami | : | Rathotsav – ‘Gudyancha Rath’ at night |
Ashadh Shukla Dwadashi
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Shayan Dwadashi. Idol of Shri Mangesh is taken in Palakhi to the temple Tank at night. |
Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Ashwin Shukla Navmi |
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Navaratrotsav ‘Makar’ every night |
Ashwin Shukla Dashami
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Vijaya Dashmi – Dussera Idol of Shri Mangesh is taken in Palakhi for ‘Simollanghan’ in the evening |
Ashwin Krishna Chaturdashi
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Dipawali Pancha Murthy Darshan at noon |
Kartik Shukla Ekadashi | : | Pancha Murthy Darshan at noon |
Kartik Shukla | : | The day when Shri Mangesh Deity was brought to Mangeshi |
Dwadashi / Trayodashi
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Tulasi Vivaha Idol of Shri Mangesh is taken in Palakhi to the temple Tank at night. |
Last Monday of Pausha | : | Sarwajanik Maharudra Samapti Palakhi & Rathotsav at night |
Saptami | : | Vijay Rathotsav |
Ashtami | : | Hatti Ambari Utsav |
Navami | : | Silver Palkhi |
Dashami | : | Rathotsav |
Ekadashi | : | Silver Palkhi |
Duadashi
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Pancha Murthy Darshan at noon Silver Palkhi Nauka Rohan |
Triyodashi | : | Sukhasanotsav |
Chaturdashi | : | Rathotsav (Dhakta Rath) |
Pournima | : | Maha Rathotsav (Annual Jatra Festival Ends Maghi Shukla Pournima) |
Maagh Krishna Panchami | : | Nutan Kavachotsav |
Maagh Krishna Chaturdashi | : | Mahashivaratri Rathotsav (Dhakta Rath) at night |
Falgun Shukla Dwitiya | : | Anniversary celebration of new Pindika |
Falgun Krishna Pratipada | : | Dhoolivandan |
Gotras Kaundinya Gotra: |
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The Mangeshi Temple |
The Enterance |
The Watertank |
The Nayanstamboo |
The Temple Quarters |