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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 = | ||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
| mantra = | | mantra = | ||
| weapon = [[Trishula]] | | weapon = [[Trishula]] | ||
| consort = [[Khandoba]] | | consort = [[Khandoba]] (when identified with Parvati) | ||
| children = | | children = | ||
| mount = | | mount = | ||
| | | affiliation = {{bulleted list|[[Avatar]] of [[Mohini]]|[[Parvati]] (in Khandoba Sect)}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Mhalsa''' ([[Marathi language|Marathi]]: म्हाळसा | '''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 | 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 [[ | 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. | ||
| Line 28: | Line 27: | ||
==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 | 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. | ||
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== | ||
Latest revision as of 04:47, 28 November 2025
| Mhalsa | |
|---|---|
 Khandoba and Mhalsa killing demons Mani-Malla — a popular oleograph, c.1880. | |
| Devanagari | म्हाळसा, महालसा |
| Sanskrit transliteration | Mhāḷasā |
| Affiliation | |
| Weapon | Trishula |
| Consort | Khandoba (when identified with Parvati) |
Mhalsa (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 temple is at 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[edit | edit source]
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 Vaishnavas from Goa and Tulunadu identify her with Mohini and call her Narayani and Rahu-matthani, the slayer of Rahu, as told in the Bhavishya Purana.[1]
Mhalsa is often depicted with two arms and accompanying Khandoba on his horse or standing beside him.
Legends[edit | edit source]
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.[2] 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 shiva lingams appeared on this occasion. An annual festival marking this event is celebrated in Pali every Pausha Pournima.
Worship[edit | edit source]
Mahalasa/Mhalsa is worshipped as an independent goddess or gramadevata (village guardian deity). Her chief temples stand in Mardol in Goa.[2][3] Her temples also exist in the states of Karnataka, Kerala, and Gujarat.[4] She is the Kuldevi (family goddess) of many Hindus from western and southern India, including Goud Saraswat Brahmins, Karhade Brahmins, Padye Brahmin, Daivajna Brahmin, Kalavant, Bhandaris and many other communities.
Due to the migration of followers of the goddess, new temples have been established in recent years in Verna, Karwar, Kumta, Mudgeri, Kundapura, Basruru, Shirva, Mangaluru, Kasargod, Harikhandige, Malpe, Madangeri (a small town near Gokarna) and other places along India's west coast.
Mhalsa is also worshipped as the consort of Khandoba in Maharashtra and the reincarnation of Goddess Parvati.[2] She is worshipped with Khandoba in all centres of Khandoba's worship, including Jejuri in Maharashtra. [2]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ V. P. Chavan (1991). Vaishnavism of the Gowd Saraswat Brahmins and a few Konkani folklore tales. Asian Educational Services. pp. 26–7. ISBN 978-81-206-0645-6.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Harsha V. Dehejia (1 January 1999). Parvati: Goddess of Love. Mapin Publishing Pvt Ltd. pp. 36–7. ISBN 978-81-85822-59-4.
- ↑ Dhere, R C. "Chapter 2: MHAALSA". Summary of Book "FOLK GOD OF THE SOUTH: KHANDOBA". R C Dhere. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
- ↑ NT Network (11 February 2010). "Music concert to be held at Mardol". Navhind Times. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2010.