Gasperalmeida at 23:17, 27 November 2025

2025-11-27T23:17:58Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:47, 28 November 2025
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	\| caption = Khandoba and Mhalsa killing demons Mani-Malla — a popular [[oleograph]], c.1880.		\| caption = Khandoba and Mhalsa killing demons Mani-Malla — a popular [[oleograph]], c.1880.
	\| name = Mhalsa		\| name = Mhalsa
	\| Devanagari = म्हाळसा		\| Devanagari = म्हाळसा, महालसा
	\| Sanskrit_transliteration = Mhāḷasā		\| Sanskrit_transliteration = Mhāḷasā
	\| god_of =		\| god_of =
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	\| mantra =		\| mantra =
	\| weapon = [[Trishula]]		\| weapon = [[Trishula]]
	\| consort = [[Khandoba]]		\| consort = [[Khandoba]] (when identified with Parvati)
	\| children =		\| children =
	\| mount =		\| mount =
	\| ~~Spouse~~ = [[~~Marthandan~~]] ~~Lord Shiva's One~~ of ~~an avatar.~~		\| affiliation = {{bulleted list\|[[Avatar]] of [[Mohini]]\|[[Parvati]] (in Khandoba Sect)}}
	~~\| Consort =~~ [[~~Marthandan~~]] ~~Avatar of Lord~~ [[~~Shiva~~]]
	}}		}}
	'''Mhalsa''' ([[Marathi language\|Marathi]]: म्हाळसा, [[IAST]]: Mhāḷasā), also spelled as '''Mhalasa''' or '''Mahalasa''', is a [[Hindu goddess]]. ~~Mhalsa~~ is worshipped as the consort of the folk ~~god~~ [[Khandoba]], a form of ~~the god~~ [[Shiva]]. In this tradition, she is associated with [[Parvati]], Shiva's wife.		'''Mhalsa''' ([[Marathi language\|Marathi]]: म्हाळसा [[IAST]]: Mhāḷasā), also spelled as '''Mhalasa''' or '''Mahalasa''', महालसा is a [[Hindu goddess]]. As an independent goddess, she is worshipped as a form of [[Mohini]], the [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]]. Meanwhile in the [[Khandoba]] sect of [[Maharashtra]], she is worshipped as the consort of the folk deity [[Khandoba]], a form of [[Shiva]]. In this tradition, she is associated with [[Parvati]], Shiva's wife.

	Mhalsa's chief ~~temples~~ is at [[Mahalasa Narayani Temple, Mardol\|Mardol]] in [[Mardol, Goa]] ~~in the~~ form of Mahalasa Narayani. She is worshipped as the [[Kuladevi]] (family goddess) of different castes and communities in the region.		Mhalsa's chief temple is at [[Mahalasa Narayani Temple, Mardol\|Mardol]] in [[Mardol, Goa]], where she is worshipped as a form of [[Vishnu]] revered as Mahalasa Narayani. She is worshipped as the [[Kuladevi]] (family goddess) of different castes and communities in the region.

	==Iconography==		==Iconography==
	In the Mahalasa Narayani form, Mahalasa has four hands, carrying a [[trishula]], a sword, a severed head, and a drinking bowl. She also wears the [[yajnopavita]] (sacred thread), which is generally dedicated to male deities. She stands on a prostrate man or demon, as a tiger or lion licks blood dripping from the severed head. Goud Saraswat Brahmins and Daivajnya 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&q=mahalsa&pg=PA26\|isbn=978-81-206-0645-6\|year=1991}}</ref>		In the Mahalasa Narayani form, Mahalasa has four hands, carrying a [[trishula]], a sword, a severed head, and a drinking bowl. She also wears the [[yajnopavita]] (sacred thread), which is generally dedicated to male deities. She stands on a prostrate man or demon, as a tiger or lion licks blood dripping from the severed head. Goud Saraswat Brahmins and Daivajnya Brahmins as well as [[Vaishnava]]s from Goa and [[Tulunadu]] identify her with [[Mohini]] and call her [[Mohini\|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&q=mahalsa&pg=PA26\|isbn=978-81-206-0645-6\|year=1991}}</ref>

	Mhalsa is often depicted with two arms and accompanying Khandoba on his horse or standing beside him.		Mhalsa is often depicted with two arms and accompanying Khandoba on his horse or standing beside him.
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	==Legends==		==Legends==

			According to a folk legend, Mhalsa is considered to be a form of Shiva's wife, [[Parvati]]. As per this legend, Mhalsa was born as the daughter of a rich [[Lingayat]] merchant called Timmaseth.<ref name="Dehejia1999">{{cite book\|author=Harsha V. Dehejia\|title=Parvati: Goddess of Love\|date=1 January 1999\|publisher=Mapin Publishing Pvt Ltd\|isbn=978-81-85822-59-4\|pages=36–7}}</ref> On the divine orders of Khandoba in a dream to her father, Mhalsa was married to Khandoba on [[Pausha]] Pournima (the full moon day of the Hindu calendar month of Pausha) in Pali (Pembar). Two [[Lingam\|shiva lingams]] appeared on this occasion. An annual festival marking this event is celebrated in Pali every Pausha Pournima.
	According to legend, Mhalsa is considered to be a form of Shiva's wife, [[Parvati]]. As per this legend, Mhalsa was born as the daughter of a rich [[Lingayat]] merchant called Timmaseth.<ref name="Dehejia1999">{{cite book\|author=Harsha V. Dehejia\|title=Parvati: Goddess of Love\|date=1 January 1999\|publisher=Mapin Publishing Pvt Ltd\|isbn=978-81-85822-59-4\|pages=36–7}}</ref> On the divine orders of Khandoba in a dream to her father, Mhalsa was married to Khandoba on [[Pausha]] Pournima (the full moon day of the Hindu calendar month of Pausha) in Pali (Pembar). Two [[Lingam\|shiva lingams]] appeared on this occasion. An annual festival marking this event is celebrated in Pali every Pausha Pournima.

	== Worship ==		== Worship ==
	[[Image:mahalasatemple.jpg\|thumb\|Mardol Temple in [[Goa]]]]		[[Image:mahalasatemple.jpg\|thumb\|Mardol Temple in [[Goa]]]]
	Mahalasa/Mhalsa is worshipped as an independent goddess or ''[[gramadevata]]'' (village guardian deity). Her chief temples stand in [[Mahalasa Narayani Temple, Mardol\|Mardol]] in [[Goa]].<ref name="Dehejia1999"/><ref name="dhere">{{cite web\|url=http://www.rcdhere.com/RCD_Khandoba/khandoba_3.html\|title=Chapter 2: MHAALSA\|last=Dhere\|first=R C\|work=Summary of Book "FOLK GOD OF THE SOUTH: KHANDOBA"\|publisher=R C Dhere\|accessdate=14 March 2010}}</ref> Her temples also exist in the states of [[Karnataka]], [[Kerala]], and [[Gujarat]].<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.navhindtimes.in/buzz/8566-music-concert-to-be-held-at-mardol \|title=Music concert to be held at Mardol \|last=NT Network \|date=11 February 2010 \|work=[[Navhind Times]] \|accessdate=12 March 2010 ~~}}{{dead link\|date=June 2017 \|bot=InternetArchiveBot \|fix-attempted=yes~~ }}</ref> She is the [[Kuldevta\|Kuldevi]] (family goddess) of many Hindus from western and southern India, including [[Goud Saraswat Brahmins]], [[Karhade Brahmin]]s, [[Daivajna Brahmin]]s, [[Bhandari caste\|Bhandaris]] and ~~Shimpi caste~~.		Mahalasa/Mhalsa is worshipped as an independent goddess or ''[[gramadevata]]'' (village guardian deity). Her chief temples stand in [[Mahalasa Narayani Temple, Mardol\|Mardol]] in [[Goa]].<ref name="Dehejia1999"/><ref name="dhere">{{cite web\|url=http://www.rcdhere.com/RCD_Khandoba/khandoba_3.html\|title=Chapter 2: MHAALSA\|last=Dhere\|first=R C\|work=Summary of Book "FOLK GOD OF THE SOUTH: KHANDOBA"\|publisher=R C Dhere\|accessdate=14 March 2010}}</ref> Her temples also exist in the states of [[Karnataka]], [[Kerala]], and [[Gujarat]].<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.navhindtimes.in/buzz/8566-music-concert-to-be-held-at-mardol \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616055809/https://www.navhindtimes.in/buzz/8566-music-concert-to-be-held-at-mardol \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=June 16, 2022 \|title=Music concert to be held at Mardol \|last=NT Network \|date=11 February 2010 \|work=[[Navhind Times]] \|accessdate=12 March 2010 }}</ref> She is the [[Kuldevta\|Kuldevi]] (family goddess) of many Hindus from western and southern India, including [[Goud Saraswat Brahmins]], [[Karhade Brahmin]]s, [[Padye]] Brahmin, [[Daivajna Brahmin]], [[Kalavant]], [[Bhandari caste\|Bhandaris]] and many other communities.

	~~In recent years, due~~ to the ~~increased popularity~~ of the goddess, new temples have been established in [[Verna, Goa\|Verna]], [[Karwar]], [[Kumta]], [[Mudgeri]], [[Kundapura]], [[Basrur]]u, [[Shirva, India\|Shirva]], [[Mangaluru]], [[Kasargod]], Harikhandige, Malpe ~~and other areas mostly along coastal Karnataka. One temple is also located in~~ Madangeri, a small town near to Gokarna.		Due to the migration of followers of the goddess, new temples have been established in recent years in [[Verna, Goa\|Verna]], [[Karwar]], [[Kumta]], [[Mudgeri]], [[Kundapura]], [[Basrur]]u, [[Shirva, India\|Shirva]], [[Mangaluru]], [[Kasargod]], Harikhandige, Malpe, Madangeri (a small town near [[Gokarna, Karnataka\|Gokarna]]) and other places along India's west coast.

	Mhalsa is also worshipped as the consort of Khandoba.<ref name="Dehejia1999"/> She is worshipped with Khandoba in all centres of Khandoba's worship, including [[Jejuri]].		Mhalsa is also worshipped as the consort of Khandoba in Maharashtra and the reincarnation of [[Goddess Parvati]].<ref name="Dehejia1999"/> She is worshipped with Khandoba in all centres of Khandoba's worship, including [[Jejuri]] in [[Maharashtra]]. <ref name="Dehejia1999"/>

	==References==		==References==

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article

2023-08-29T05:33:26Z

Created a new article

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{{short description|Hindu goddess}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| image = Khandoba.jpg
| caption = Khandoba and Mhalsa killing demons Mani-Malla — a popular [[oleograph]], c.1880.
| name = Mhalsa
| Devanagari = म्हाळसा
| Sanskrit_transliteration = Mhāḷasā
| god_of =
| abode =
| mantra =
| weapon = [[Trishula]]
| consort = [[Khandoba]]
| children =
| mount =
| Spouse = [[Marthandan]] Lord Shiva's One of an avatar.
| Consort = [[Marthandan]] Avatar of Lord [[Shiva]]
}}
'''Mhalsa''' ([[Marathi language|Marathi]]: म्हाळसा, [[IAST]]: Mhāḷasā), also spelled as '''Mhalasa''' or '''Mahalasa''', is a [[Hindu goddess]]. Mhalsa is worshipped as the consort of the folk god [[Khandoba]], a form of the god [[Shiva]]. In this tradition, she is associated with [[Parvati]], Shiva's wife.

Mhalsa's chief temples is at [[Mahalasa Narayani Temple, Mardol|Mardol]] in [[Mardol, Goa]] in the form of Mahalasa Narayani. She is worshipped as the [[Kuladevi]] (family goddess) of different castes and communities in the region.

==Iconography==
In the Mahalasa Narayani form, Mahalasa has four hands, carrying a [[trishula]], a sword, a severed head, and a drinking bowl. She also wears the [[yajnopavita]] (sacred thread), which is generally dedicated to male deities. She stands on a prostrate man or demon, as a tiger or lion licks blood dripping from the severed head. Goud Saraswat Brahmins and Daivajnya 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&q=mahalsa&pg=PA26|isbn=978-81-206-0645-6|year=1991}}</ref>

Mhalsa is often depicted with two arms and accompanying Khandoba on his horse or standing beside him.

==Legends==

According to legend, Mhalsa is considered to be a form of Shiva's wife, [[Parvati]]. As per this legend, Mhalsa was born as the daughter of a rich [[Lingayat]] merchant called Timmaseth.<ref name="Dehejia1999">{{cite book|author=Harsha V. Dehejia|title=Parvati: Goddess of Love|date=1 January 1999|publisher=Mapin Publishing Pvt Ltd|isbn=978-81-85822-59-4|pages=36–7}}</ref> On the divine orders of Khandoba in a dream to her father, Mhalsa was married to Khandoba on [[Pausha]] Pournima (the full moon day of the Hindu calendar month of Pausha) in Pali (Pembar). Two [[Lingam|shiva lingams]] appeared on this occasion. An annual festival marking this event is celebrated in Pali every Pausha Pournima.

== Worship ==
[[Image:mahalasatemple.jpg|thumb|Mardol Temple in [[Goa]]]]
Mahalasa/Mhalsa is worshipped as an independent goddess or ''[[gramadevata]]'' (village guardian deity). Her chief temples stand in [[Mahalasa Narayani Temple, Mardol|Mardol]] in [[Goa]].<ref name="Dehejia1999"/><ref name="dhere">{{cite web|url=http://www.rcdhere.com/RCD_Khandoba/khandoba_3.html|title=Chapter 2: MHAALSA|last=Dhere|first=R C|work=Summary of Book "FOLK GOD OF THE SOUTH: KHANDOBA"|publisher=R C Dhere|accessdate=14 March 2010}}</ref> Her temples also exist in the states of [[Karnataka]], [[Kerala]], and [[Gujarat]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.navhindtimes.in/buzz/8566-music-concert-to-be-held-at-mardol |title=Music concert to be held at Mardol |last=NT Network |date=11 February 2010 |work=[[Navhind Times]] |accessdate=12 March 2010 }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> She is the [[Kuldevta|Kuldevi]] (family goddess) of many Hindus from western and southern India, including [[Goud Saraswat Brahmins]], [[Karhade Brahmin]]s, [[Daivajna Brahmin]]s, [[Bhandari caste|Bhandaris]] and Shimpi caste.

In recent years, due to the increased popularity of the goddess, new temples have been established in [[Verna, Goa|Verna]], [[Karwar]], [[Kumta]], [[Mudgeri]], [[Kundapura]], [[Basrur]]u, [[Shirva, India|Shirva]], [[Mangaluru]], [[Kasargod]], Harikhandige, Malpe and other areas mostly along coastal Karnataka. One temple is also located in Madangeri, a small town near to Gokarna.

Mhalsa is also worshipped as the consort of Khandoba.<ref name="Dehejia1999"/> She is worshipped with Khandoba in all centres of Khandoba's worship, including [[Jejuri]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.mahalasa.org Kuladevata Shri Mahalasa Narayani's Temple on the Internet]

[[Category:Forms of Vishnu]]
[[Category:Hindu goddesses]]
[[Category:Forms of Parvati]]

Mhalsa - Revision history

Gasperalmeida at 23:17, 27 November 2025

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article