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Shri Mangesh Devasthan, Mangeshi, Priol Goa
Official site: http://www.shrimangesh.org/
Deity: Main deity is lord Shiva and is worshipped in the form of Shiva Linga
The Main Sanctorum in the Temple consists of Shiva Linga shown below:
And when the Shiva Linga is decorated :
The Temple from outside:
The 7-storey Deepa-Sthamba :
The history of Shri Mangireesh or (Shri Mangueesh or Shri Mangesh) dates back to the Puranas. The Sahyadri Khand of Skand Purana says that Parshuram invited 66 Panch Gaud Brahmins belonging to 10 gotras from Trihotra (believed to be Tirhut in Bihar) to Kushasthal (now known as Kutthal, Goa) for performing the Yadnya after wiping out the Kshatriyas. Each group had brought with it the idol they used to worship and installed it in the villages donated by Parshuram out of the land reclaimed by him from the sea.
Those belonging to the Vatsa and Kaundinya gotra received Kushasthal as gram dan and installed in the village their family deity, Shri Mangireesh. The Purana explains that the Bramha had established the Shivalinga at Monghir in Trihotra and it came to be known as Mangireesh or Mangeesh.
It is stated that when Parvati was in search of Shiva, she was scared at the site of a tiger that was Shiva himself and shouted for help from him. However, instead of saying "Trahiman Gireesh" she said: "Trahimangeesh!!" out of fear and nervousness. The Gomantak Kshetra Mahatmya reports the second avatar of Shri Mangireesh in Goa in the same fashion.
Lord Shiva settled down in Kushasthal and Parvati in a neighboring village. His temple at Kushasthal was a place of pilgrimage till the Portuguese took over this part of the territory in Goa in 1560. On the site of the temple now stands a church.
In 1560, anticipating the onslaught of the Portuguese, the devotees had moved Shri Mangesh Shivalinga from Kutthal to a safer place under a Hindu prince. Surrounded by hillocks and covered by forests, the Shivalinga was kept at a place, which now is known as Mangeshi.
The Peshwas donated in 1739, the village of Mangeshi to the temple on the suggestion of their Sardar, Shri Ramchandra Malhar Sukhtankar, who was a life-long devotee of Shri Mangesh.
Since then this little village on the Panaji-Ponda road has become a place of pilgrimage for the followers of the Lord and an attraction for the tourists from rest of the country and outside.
Known for its natural beauty and pleasant surroundings, Mangeshi is still a hamlet with about 1,000 families. But it is a center of culture and the musicians from this place have earned countrywide reputation as master singers for several generations.
EARLY TEMPLES
From the Portuguese records, it appears that the temples in the sixteenth century after shifting in distress to this part of Goa were only sheds covered with coconut leaves and supported by trunks of betelnut trees.
The Portugals had banned the construction and repairs of temples. It would therefore appear that the first temple in forest area of Mangeshi could be no better than a shed.
Subsequently, the temple might have been built around 1744. It was supported by wooden pillars which have been preserved. The devotees enriched the temple and it is probable that ancillary temples were built thereafter over a period.
The intermittent outbreak of rebellions in Goa obliged the Portuguese to abandon their policy of antagonism to Hindus and to enact progressive legislation in 1866. Twenty years had, however, to go before Shri Mangesh Temple could be brought under the Act and Goa could be assured of political stability and security. Thus marked the beginning of new phase for Goa of which Mangeshi is but a part.
This temple was a source of inspiration to many for spiritual pursuits. Towards the end of eighteenth century, Naik Swami, who was resting in the temple on his way to Kashi, dreamt that Mangeshi was nothing else but Kashi itself. He accordingly spent the rest of his life in Mangeshi itself to serve the Lord. Among the numerous books written by him mention may be made of the poetic translation in Marathi of Shri Shiva Gita. His death anniversary is observed on Vaishakh Vadya Dwadashi
Incidentally, the major festivals in the temple are celebrated at night. The night probably provides a better opportunity for displaying the human skill and imagination in arrangement of lights and grandeur. As one enters the temple, he finds himself in a room called Mandap. From here, the drum is beaten to inform everybody in the hamlet that the Lord is ready to meet them in congregation.
This happens at noon and at night before the AARATI starts or the PALAKHI is taken out.
More more information of the Temple check the official link:
Home page http://www.shrimangesh.org/
History http://www.shrimangesh.org/history.html
Other deities http://www.shrimangesh.org/deities.html
More images http://www.shrimangesh.org/temple.html
Video http://www.shrimangesh.org/video.html
Audio http://www.shrimangesh.org/audio.html
Festivals http://www.shrimangesh.org/festivals.html
Contact to the Temple : http://www.shrimangesh.org/contact.html
Submit more info on this Temple: hindu_temple@yahoo.co.in