Shree Mahalasa Narayani Temple, Mardol

Shri Mahalasa Narayani’s temple at Mardol in the West coastal state of Goa in India needs no introduction to Shri Mahalasa’s Kulavis and other devotees.

This is Her most well-known temple and even if we visit other temples, we cannot avoid visiting Her beautiful temple at Mardol, at least once in our lifetime.

Shree Mahalasa Narayani Temple, Mardol;

Temple History
Architecture
How To Reach The Temple
Daily Poojas And Festivals
Videos

During the Samudra manthan (churning of the ocean of milk) by the gods and the demons, the demons steal the pot of amruta (elixir of immortality). The god Vishnu took the form of the enchantress, Mohini. Mohini seized the amruta from the demons and served it to the gods. Mohini is worshipped as Mahalasa Narayani or Mahalasa.

According to another legend linking her to Khandoba, the god Shiva enchanted by Mohini. She promises to be his wife in her earthly reincarnation when he would be incarnate as Khandoba on earth. Mhalsa (as called in the Khandoba cult) is considered a form of Mohini as well as Shiva’s wife Parvati. Mhalsa was born as the daughter of a rich Lingayat merchant in Newasa called Timmaseth. 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 Hindu calendar month of Pausha) in Pali (Pembar). Two shivlingas appeared on this occasion. An annual festival marking this event is celebrated in Pali every Pausha Pournima.

Lakhs of devotees and tourists visit the 450-year old temple every year to solicit blessings of the Divine Deity.

The Mardol temple has some unique features to its credit viz, the tallest Samai (lamp) or the Dnyandeepa, and the Deepasthambha (see photo below), which is famous all over the world thanks to it being highlighted in posters of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation; a full-granite Sabha Mantapa, copper roof to the main temple, historic bell with legal sanctity and many more interesting things.

A very special feature in Mardol temple is the appearance of Shri Mahalasa in various Alankaars at various periods, sometimes during various times of the day.

To the keen devotee, she appears as various Gods and Goddesses and Special Puja Offerings can be made to the deity.

By Road: The temple of Shri Mahalasa Narayani is situated in Verna of Salcette taluka, South Goa. It is about 10 km from the city of Madgaon. Many inter-state government-run and privately operated buses travel through Verna, which also boasts of a sprawling industril estate..

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Madgaon, which is the main station connecting Goa, on the Konkan Railway, from where one can take bus or taxi to Verna. A passenger train also connects Madgaon to Verna.

By Air: The airport is located at Dabolim, which is 30 km from Panaji or Margao.

The opening and closing time of the temple are: 9:30 AM to 07:30 PM. Here daily rituals of Shri Mahalasa are performed.

⦁ On every Sunday, there is Palakhi procession of Shri Mahalasa at 5.45 p.m.
⦁ On every Panchami, there is Palakhi procession of Shri Santeri at 5.45 p.m.
⦁ On every Ekadashi day Shri Vithobalankar Pooja is offered to Shri Mahalasa.
⦁ If any Sunday or any Panchami falls on a day of any special Vahanotsava, the Palakhi Utsava is replaced by that Vahanotsava.
⦁ If a Sunday and a Panchami falls on the same day, the Palakhi procession of Shri Santeri leaves out first.
⦁ Shri Mahalasa Palakhi leaves later so as to join Shri Santeri Palakhi when it arrives in front of Shri Mahalasa Temple. The joint procession proceeds further till Shri Santeri Palakhi completes its round at that temple. Thereafter Shri Mahalasa Palakhi proceeds further on its round. This is a rare exciting memorable occasion to witness.