Shri Nageshi Maharoudra Temple, Bandora.

Location of the temple
This Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is situated in Bandora village, about four kilometers to the east of Ponda. The presiding deity is Shri Nagesh Maharudra and other Deities are Shri Laxmi Narayan and  Shri Ganapati. This place was known in the past as "Bandiwad". Shri Nagesh Maharudra temple is situated on Pharmagudi-Kavalem-Ponda road at about 800 meters from Pharmagudi, a point 26.2 kilometers away from Panaji on Panaji-Belgaum National highway. The temple of Shri Jagadamba Mahalaxmi lies about 300 meters from Shri Nagesh temple.  

 
Skand Purana
The Saraswats established Sri Nagesh Maharudra deity at Bhandiwade. Unlike the other deities, this one found a safe abode right from the start and did not have to be shifted from place to place. This temple was unaffected by the religious persecution of Portuguese rulers in the 16th Century. This was because at that time Antruj of Ponda Mahal was not under the domain of the Portuguese power and this facilitated the migration of Saraswat deities like Shantadurga, Ganapati etc. to Antruj. It is obvious that this deity was brought by Parshurama along with the saraswat brahmins who migrated south, this is mentioned in the Sayadhri Skand Purana in the 53rd line. 

 
Description of the Temple
This temple, which faces west, has a beautiful tank in front, with a Nandi bull in black granite standing tall at its entrance. The tank water is ever flowing and crystal clear. The tank is considered to be very beautiful and therefore it is well known all over Gomantak and is considered to be a distinctive features among some of the other temples. At some distance are also visible the smaller temples of Poorvachari, Betal and Raval Nath. People visiting this temple get the divine feeling of fascination up on their entering the temple. In the "Garbhagara" the Linga is positioned with its pedestal, under the dome shaped roofing. Around the "Garbhagara" there is an area  for "Pradakshana". There is a bedroom with bed stead. Facing it is the spacious square built of marble tiles. On the Southern and Northern sides the idols of Shri Laxminarayan and Shri Ganapati are installed (in seated position). The Palace of the Sunda King exsists in the neighborhood. The mandapa (an assembly hall, generally pillared, preceding the sanctum sanatorium) has a gallery on both sides that contains exquisite specimen of intricate wood carvings that narrate stories from the Hindu epics – Ramayana and Mahabharata on one side and wooden images of Astadikpal and Gandharva on the other.. The temple compound also houses a five-storeyed deepstambha.

 Shri Nageshi Temple
Antiquity of the Temple
In ancient days this deity was known as Nagnath, as stated in a copper plate, bearing the year 1222 Saka (1300 A.D.). It unarguably proves the temple's antiquity since there is an inscription in the compound of the Devastan. It makes reference to a gift of Lands named after 'Veda khandikechem Kulgar', 'Nagzri Mallo, paddy field & 'Ruvi Kulgar' in favour of the deities of Shri Nagesh & Shri Mahalaxmi for sevas on Kartik Poornima by Shri Mayeen Shenvi Wagle, an officer of the kingdom, in the year 1413 A.D. or 1335 Saka, during the rule of King Veer Pratap Devaraya of Vijay Nagar. Idols of Shiva-Paravati and Ganesh have been found in the compound of the temple. The sculpture of these idols make the Archaeologists evident that  they belong to the Seventh and Eighth century respectively. Therefore, it is distinct that the temple existed here even before the Seventh Century.   

 
Shri Nageshi


Legends
Shri Nagesh Temple is considered to be "Swayambhu" shrine of Lord Shankar popularly known for its remarkable beliefs. The history is not available at present, except a reference in the folk songs. The environs known as Nagzar had in the past a grove of Shami trees. As the legend goes  a cow-boy noticed that a cow from his herd used to visit the place regularly and showered milk. This led to the discovery of Shivlinga. 

Regular utsavas held in the temple are shibika/palakees of Sri Nagesh on every Monday which persists till 09:30 pm, Sri Laxmi Narayan on every Dashmi and Sri Ganapati on every Shukla Chaturthi (Vinayaki) in the same manner except in the Chatur mas. The annual Jatra of temple is held from Chaitra from Ramanavami on words. Shivaratri is also celebrated grandly with Rathotsava on Magha Amavasya (next day). The temple has Agrashalas with well equipped rooms and also halls for weddings and other functions.

 
The rich place
The surroundings are engulfed by ranges of hills on the three sides, and the river Aghanashini flows on the fourth side. A stream of sweet water flows round the year through the heart of the village on its either side. It is encompassed with luscious green fields. One can see  number of springs in several places in the surrounding hills with rich beetle nut plantations.  

 

The General Proverb
The general proverb  "Pillar of Shri Mangesh", "Dome of Shri Shantadurga", "Tank of Shri Nagesh", "Square of Shri Mahalaxmi", "Sthal (Spot) of Shri Mahalasa" and "Gana of Shri Kamakshi" elucidates the distinctive features of some of the temples of Goa. This temple was rebuilt in 1702 Saka(1780 A.D.) by Shri Wadiye from Kumbarjuvem, on behalf of the his mother-in-law hailing from the family of shri Narayan Fonde Kamat. It was rebuilt by Shrimati Savitri Kamat, widow of Shri Narayan Fonde Kamat, of Kumbharjuvem, at her own cost. The opening ceremony of the new construction took place on "Falgun Shudha Tritiya, Shri Shaka 1702, Sharvari Sanvatsare."

 
Gotra
The saraswats of this ancient Kuladevata temple consider Mahalaxmi as their Pallavi or their supporting deity with the Gotras and their surnames

Kaushik Gotra: Nayak Pratap Rau Sardesai, Nayak Gaunekar, Nayak Gaunkar, Nayak Dhaimadkar, Nayak Vadiye, Nayak Bhatkar, Nayak Namashikar, Nayak Palanga, Nayak Khavante, Nayak Bandiwadekar, Nayak Karmali, Nayak Kurade, Nayak, Ullal Nayak, Harekal Nayak, Manel Nayak,Bengre Nayak, Nayak Herkar, Nayak Nandgadkar, Nayak Rangain, Nayak Cholba, Kelkar, Junvale, Bhat Upponi, Chandraghatgi, Shanbhag, Shenai, Konchady Shenai, Shena

Vatsa Gotra: Pai, Shenavi, Kamat Panvelkar, Kamat Amembal, Shenavi Bodke, Mallya, Kamat Elekar, Shiv Kamat, Kaikini, Asgekar.

Bharadwaj Gotra: Prabhu
In addition the families of Dhempo and Charse are also worshippers.

Shri Nageshi

Photos of the Temple
Shri Nageshi Temple
The Nagueshi Temple		 Shri Nageshi Temple Watertank
The beautiful water tank		 Shri Nageshi Temple
The rear view of Temple		 Shri Nageshi Temple Enterance
The Temple enterance		 Shri Nageshi Tower
The Deepastambha

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