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THE TEMPLE TOUR
Exquisite workmanship on the pillars of this
temple and woodcarvings (recently coated with
liberal layers of oil enamel) depict the Shakti
cult. Admire the motifs that represent the nine
incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The original idol
was brought from the village of Verne, now an
industrial estate in modern Goa.
Goa is said to have been created from the sea
by lord Parashuram, the axe-wielding sixth incarnation
of Lord Vishnu. Lord Parashuram is supposed to
have destroyed all the warriors Kshatriyas, in
his kingdom over a quarrel involving a divine
cow. To compensate for these sins, the war-like
god is said to have offered several sacramental
fires and devotions for which ten Brahmins travelled
to Goa from the North. They say that of the original
ten Brahmins, two had brought a Shiva linga with
them that they installed at the Mangirish or Mangueshi
temple. The third Brahmin, Kaushik, settled in
Kurdalipur, bringing with him the deity Shantadurga
in her aspect of The Peaceful One. These two deities,
therefore, form the nucleus around which a number
of deities revolved. A new pattern of worship
evolved from this legend and moulded the culture
of the Konkan Coast. The story goes that the lower
caste Mahar community demolished their own huts
to house the deity and that is why members of
this community were permitted to go right inside
the temple in prepetuity.
The Mangueshi Temple at Priol houses the idol
of Lord Shiva’s consort Parvati. The legend
associated with this installation begs telling.
They say that Lord Shiva lost a game of dice to
Parvati and left for the Himalayas in a tantrum.
An anguished Parvati began to look for her Lord
hut could not find him. Finally, Lord Shiva came
to the hills of Goa and appeared before his wife
in the form of a tiger. Not recognizing her husband
in this form, she let out a cry, "O mann
girish! O Lord of the hills!" Lord Shiva
was pleased with this utterance and presented
himself in was decided that they would both be
worshipped in a temple named Mangirish or Mangueshi
to commemorate the event.
The temple that you see today was constructed
under the patronage of Shahu Raje of Satara in
Maharashtra in 1738. Its fluted columns, cast-iron
railings, crystal chandeliers, foiled arches and
floral patterned doorways in pure silver, speak
of a period in Goa's history when Portuguese
power was at a decline. The original temple had
been located in the village of Kushtasthali or
Curtorim by the side of the river Agnashini or
Zuari. It was brought to Priol in 1560, restored
in 1894 and richly endowed with a gold spire between
1971-73. It is believed that as the persecuted
Brabmins crossed the river in the dead of night,
some fisherfolk and tribals assisted them. Perhaps
one of their headmen was named Vithal Rakhumai.
To honour this contribution, an image of Vithal
Rakhumai is seared alongside the image of Lord
Shiva. To complete the honour, this image is taken
each year by the temple priest for a ritual bath
in the temple tank.
Another story associated with the temple is the
story of Ramchandra Baba, a poor village clerk
who was on his way to seek his fortunes in the
neighbouring Satara region. When he went to the
temple priests to request them to perform the
rudra abhishekha, a rite meant to bring in good
fortune, they refused, as he did not have more
than four annas (25 paise) to pay for the ritual.
Crestfallen, he buried the coins at the foot of
the tulsi vrindavan in the temple courtyard and
took leave of the Lord. He returned years later,
a wealthy and influential administrator. This
time the priests of the temple fawned on him,
begging him to sponsor the ceremony. Ramchandra
Baba is said to have dug up the coins from under
the sacred basil and then declare that from henceforth
no more than four annas would be charged for this
particular ritual. The rule is in practice to
this day.
Enjoy a trail up to the shops that sell temple
souvenirs. The temple tank and the ladies who
sell flowers and offerings at the temple steps
make for ideal photo opportunities. It is the
rolling hills of Ponda, however, that will finally
stay in your mind's eye forever.
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