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[[File:mahalasatemple.jpg|thumb|Mahalasa Temple]]
'''Mahalasa Narayani Temple''' is a [[Hindu temple]] to the goddess [[Mahalasa]], located in [[Mardol, Goa|Mardol]], [[Ponda taluk|Ponda]], in the Indian state of [[Goa]].

==Presiding goddess==
[[Mahalasa]] is identified with [[Mohini]], the female [[avatar]] of the god [[Vishnu]]. Mahalasa has four hands, carrying a [[Trishula]], a sword, a severed head, and a drinking bowl. She stands on a prostrate man or demon, as a tiger or lion licks blood dripping from the severed head. She also wears the [[yajnopavita]] (sacred thread), which is generally dedicated on male deities.<ref name="Vanita2008"/> She stands on a prostrate man or demon, as a tiger or lion licks blood dripping from the severed head. [[Gaud Saraswat Brahmin|Goud Saraswat Brahmins]] as well as [[Vaishnava]]s from Goa and [[South Canara]] identify her with Mohini and call her [[Bhagavati|Narayani]] and Rahu-matthani, the slayer of Rahu, as told in the ''[[Bhavishya Purana]]''.<ref>{{cite book|last=V. P. Chavan|title=Vaishnavism of the Gowd Saraswat Brahmins and a few Konkani folklore tales|publisher=Asian Educational Services. |pages=26–7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SBWQIDwNWx4C&pg=PA26&dq=mahalasa&cd=5&q=mahalsa|isbn=978-81-206-0645-6|year=1991}}</ref>

While in this shrine, Mahalasa is associated with Mohini and Vishnu, in the [[Khandoba]] cult, she is regarded as a form of goddess [[Parvati]] and wife of Khandoba, a form of [[Shiva]] (Parvati's husband).

==History==

Mahalsa's older temple in Old Mardol or Velham or [[Verna, Go|Verna]], [[Salcette]] was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1567, though the icon of the Mahalasa was rescued. It was shifted here from Velham to avoid destruction during the forcible Christianization of Salcette. When the current temple in Mardol (which was outside Portuguese control) was built in the 17th century, the icon was reconsecrated.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kakodkar|first=Archana|title=Goa and Portugal: history and development |editor=Charles J. Borges, Hannes Stubbe|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|pages=282–5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=diISslZgIAkC&pg=PA283&dq=mahalasa&cd=1#v=onepage&q=mahalasa|isbn=978-81-7022-867-7|year=2000}}</ref><ref name="Vanita2008">{{cite book|author=Ruth Vanita|title=Same-Sex Love in India|date=20 October 2008|publisher=Penguin Books Limited|isbn=978-81-8475-969-3|pages=107–8}}</ref>

The icon's history before Verna is blurry. Some believe that the main temple of Mahalasa was originally located in [[Nepal]]. She was moved to [[Aurangabad, Maharashtra|Aurangabad]] in [[Maharashtra]]. During the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] domination, Aurangabad fell under the Muslim rule and the icon was moved to a secret location in Goa. Later, a small temple was built at Verna.

==Architecture==
[[File:mahalasatemplesamai.jpg|thumb|Entrance, Samai and Deepastambha]]
The Mardol temple complex also has smaller temples of the goddess [[Shantadurga]] (Santeri) and [[Lakshmi Narayan]] (Vishnu with his consort [[Lakshmi]]), who are worshipped daily with Mahalasa. The shrines for five main ''[[gana]]''s (attendants) of Mahalasa, namely Grampurush, Bhagwati, Dadh, Simha Purush and Mhal Purush, are also located within the temple premises. Daily worship of all these deities is carried out before worshipping the main goddess.

The temple has canteen which is run by the workers. After the morning and evening ''aarti'' the [[Prasad]]- the holy meal is served here.

The temple is famous in Goa for its huge brass bell. The bell does not have a ringer. The ringer was attached only when somebody wanted to testify. It was believed that the goddess will punish the person by killing the person in three days who lied while ringing the bell. The belief was so strong that during the Portuguese rule the testimony in the temple was considered acceptable in the court of law. It is also famous for its Brass Divli/Samai (oil lamp).

==Rituals and festivals==
[[File:Palkhi at Mahalasa temple, Goa.jpg|thumb|Palakhi on Sunday]]

Mahalasa is considered as both female (as Mohini) and male (as a form of Vishnu). She is dressed in ''alankar'' (ornaments, costume) as various Vishnu-related deities at various days in the year. She is dressed as Vishnu's wife [[Lakshmi]] as well as Vishnu's male forms like [[Rama]], [[Krishna]] ([[Bala Krishna]] - infant Krishna, Krishna killing [[Kaliya]]), [[Vithoba]], [[Venkateswara]] etc.<ref name="Vanita2008"/>

Generally, the male or main deity accompanies the right hand position (considered superior to the left). However, in joint processions or functions, Shantadurga is given the right hand seat, while Mahalasa sits on her left, as per the lore that Mahalasa gave the former the honour.<ref name="Vanita2008"/>

Sunday holds a special significance for the temple and the presiding goddess. On this day, ''Palakhi Seva'' is performed in addition to other rituals. The goddess is taken out for a ride around the temple in a [[palanquin]] (''palakhi''). The palanquin is decked up with flowers and traditional colourful decorations. A large crowd gathers to participate in the event and the devotees sing her praises.

The Magha Jatra (festival) at the temple and [[Navaratri]] (festival dedicated to the Hindu goddess) are the main annual temple celebrations.

In 2011, the temple banned entry of foreigners into the temple citing objectionable dressing and conduct as the reason.<ref>[http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/goa-temple-bans-entry-of-foreigners-others-impose-dress-code-110468 Goa temple bans entry of foreigners, others impose dress code]</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Hindu temples in Goa}}

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[[Category:Hindu temples in North Goa district]]

Mahalasa Narayani Temple, Mardol - Revision history

imported>Vibhavpd: Added link to Lakshmi