Shri Mangesh Temple,  Priol / Mangeshim

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. 


History
This temple actually had its origins in Kushasthali, now know as Cortalim, a village in Salcete. Salcete fell into Portuguese rule in 1543. This temple was dutifully preserved until the arrival of the Inquisition from Europe in 1567, when it was vandalised and demolished . In the year 1560, the Portuguese started Christian conversions in Salsette taluka, the Saraswats of Vatsa Gotra felt insecure and shifted the Mangesh Linga from the original site at the Kushasthali or Cortalim on the banks of river Aghanashini to present place in May 1st, 1560 A.D. (according to Hindu calendar - 1482 sakha) to the locality now known as Mangeshim in Priol village of Atrunja Taluka, which at that time was ruled by the Hindu kings of Sonde. After remaining in the house of a temple priest for sometime, Sri Mangesh deity was finally installed in its present site at Priol. The original site was a very simple structure, and the current structure was only built under Maratha rule, some 150 years after it had been moved. The Peshwas donated the village of Mangeshi to the temple in 1739 on the suggestion of their Sardar, Shri Ramchandra Malhar Sukhtankar, who was a staunt follower of Shri Mangesh. Ironically, just a few years after it was built, this area too fell into Portuguese hand in 1764, but by now, the Portuguese had lost their initial religious zeal and had become quite tolerant of other religions, and so, this structure remained untouched.


Shri Mangesh

Legends
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. Parvati was supposed to say "Trahiman Gireesh" but instead out of nervousness she said: "Trahimangeesh"


Mangeshi Temple

Description of the Temple
There is a prominent Nandi Bull which is considered to be the Vahana (Vehicle) of Shiva. The temple complex consists of a spacious courtyard surrounded by the temple itself and rooms for weddings and pilgrims. The temple also has a magnificent water tank, which is believe to be the oldest part of the temple. The Sabha Griha is a spacious hall which accomodates over 500. The decor includes the chandeliers of the nineteenth century. There are photos of Lord in different styles. The devotees are said to assemble here twice a day to meditate and seek peace, solace and the blessings of the Lord. This room also facilitates instrumental equipments to listen to Hari Katha and kirthana after which the devotees have their first glimpse at the Lord. The central part of the Sabha Griha leads to the Garbha Griha which is kept clear at all times. This allows the devotee to have the darshan of the Lord even from the entrance. The image of Mangesh resides in the garbhgriha of the beautiful 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. 

The temple is noted for the pillars. The pillars are considered to be the most beautiful among the temples in Goa. The pillars are carved with beautifully.

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
The Shiva Linga is worshipped thrice a day i.e in the morning, afternoon and evening. Shodshopchar pujas, namely Abhishek, Laghurudra and Maharudra are performed every day in the morning followed by Maha-Aarti at noon. Panchopchar pooja followed by Aarti is performed every day at night. Monday is the weekly festival. On this day idol of the Lord is taken out, before the Aarti at night, in a procession in Palakhi (ceremonial chariot) accompanied by music. The annual festivals include - Ramanavami, Akshaya Tritiya, Anant Vritotsava, Dussera, and Diwali. The main annual festival of this Temple falls on the day of "Magh Pournima" in February (it begins on Magha Shukla Saptami and ends of Magha Poornima). The three day zatra of Shri Mangesh takes place in the lavish temple in the Ponda district which draws huge and colorful crowds. Navaratri and Shivaratri are observed grandly with Makharotsava. March sees the festival of Holi or Shigmo.

Mangeshi Pillars

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


:


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

:

Shayan Dwadashi.
Idol of Shri Mangesh is taken in Palakhi to the temple Tank at night.
Ashwin Shukla Pratipada
to
Ashwin Shukla Navmi
:

Navaratrotsav
‘Makar’ every night
Ashwin Shukla Dashami

:

Vijaya Dashmi – Dussera
Idol of Shri Mangesh is taken in Palakhi for ‘Simollanghan’ in the evening
Ashwin Krishna Chaturdashi

:

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

:

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
Annual Jatra Festival (Maagha Shukla Saptami To Maagha Shukla Poornima)
Saptami : Vijay Rathotsav
Ashtami : Hatti Ambari Utsav
Navami : Silver Palkhi
Dashami : Rathotsav
Ekadashi : Silver Palkhi
Duadashi



:



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
This temple has only two kulavis i.e Vatsa and Kaundinya. The surnames under it are as follows.

Vatsa Gotra: 
Laad, Satyavant Laad, Dubhashi, Sangdekar, Kendari (Kedari), Kantak, Tanki, Salkar, Usagaonkar,  Kakodkar, Bhise, Aathvankar, Bhodse, Patkar, Bhatikar, Telang, Devnali, 
Kenkare, Lavanis, Aaghashikar, Adavalpalkar, Torsekar, Priolkar, Konekar, Kawde, Gunjikar, Khot, Phadnis, Aambye, Dhume, 
Nayak Sanzgiri, Kerkar, Morajkar, Harmalkar, Nadkarni, Deshpande, Halyalkar, Sanzgiri, Sheveshavrkar, Chandavarkar, Kolskar, Vidikar, Chakrmani, Talgare, Salgar, Karkol, Punekar, Gokarn, Kalyanpukar, Eslukar, Galvadi, Hervadkar, Tergaonkar, Nabar.

Kaundinya Gotra: 
Bhandari, Pataavarkar, Rajadhyaksha, Dalvi, Dhaymode, Gadnis, Manerkar, Nadkarni, Raganekar, Goode, Mandurkar, Nagarsekar, Salelkar, Pilgaonkar, Pavse, Deshpande, Usapkar, Mulgaonkar, Mayekar, Karnik, Deskulkarni, Palekar, Aambye, Kolmule, Nelikar, Kaysulkar, Bastodkar, Wagle, Wagh, Vaishnov, Nadkarni, Majalkar, Aauarsekar, Aajgoankar, Nayak, Bhatki, Mahime, Saraf, Kabadi, Redkar.

Shri Mangueshi

 

Mangeshi Temple
The Mangeshi Temple
The Enterance
The Enterance
Mangueshi Watertank
The Watertank
Mangeshi Tower
The Nayanstamboo
Mangeshi Temple Quarters
The Temple Quarters
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