Bandora Mahalaxmi Temple, Goa

Address

Bandora Mahalaxmi Temple, Bandiwade Bandora, Ponda, Goa 403401 Phone: 0832 233 5355

Diety

Amman: Sri Mahalaxmi

Introduction

At a distance of 27 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 22 km from Margao Railway Station, Shri Mahalaxmi Temple is situated in North Goa, in the village of Bandora or Bandivade about 4 km from Ponda. This Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu’s consort Mahalaxmi. The temple is considered as the abode of the original Goddess of the Shakti cult and its unique feature is that the Devi wears linga on her head.. The Sabhamandap has a gallery of 18 images, out of 24 images of emanatory aspects of Bhagavata sect., it is one of the largest galleries of wooden Images of Vishnu in India.

Puranic Significance

The Goddess Mahalakshmi was worshipped by the Shilahara rulers (750-1030 A. D) and the early Kadamba Kings of Goa. The temple was originally in the village of Kolambe near present day Colva beach. When the Portuguese destroyed it, devotees smuggled the idol of Mahalakshmi first to the town of Talaulim where it resided in the home of a priest. It was then moved to its present location in Bandivade in Ponda where a small temple was established in 1866. The Temple is considered the abode of the original Goddess of the Shakti cult. It has a modern structure. The facade is a beautifully decorated arch and entrance with sculptures of two elephants around the outer spire. There is a black stone Deepa Sthamba next to another Deepa Sthamba bearing the temple colour facing the facade. There is a Tulsi Vrindavan in the outer corridor. The Sabha Mandapa has beautiful antique chandeliers attached to the ceiling. Its walls are adorned with paintings engravings of Lord Hanuman, Lord Garuda and Lord Ganesha. The inner walls are covered with paintings, engravings depicting stories of the puranas. It has twenty-four panels painted with images from Bhagwat Geeta along with the incarnations of Lords Vishnu. It is considered one of the few galleries of wooden images of Vishnu in India. The idol of Mahalaxmi with four arms holding a sickle, a club, a dagger and a vessel containing Prasad and flowers. The image of Mahalakshmi has a close resemblance to that of Mahalakshmi at Kolhapur, the main centre of worship. Her special feature is that she wears a Linga on her head and is considered a peaceful or Satvik form of the Devi. There was another idol of Devi made of Panchaloka besides the stone idol.

Special Features

Mahalaxmi is the Goddess of power and strength and is believed to be an incarnation of ‘Adishakti’-the supreme form of power and energy. The Shaktas- worshippers of Shakti cult, among the Saraswats, worshipped Adishakti in the form of the linga. Many accept Mahalaxmi as Pallavi, their supporting deity, who is believed to have been released when the gods and demons were churning the ocean for amrita the nectar of immortality. The Saraswats, at the time of their arrival in Goa, were worshippers of ‘Shiva-Shakti’- Shiva being represented by the ‘Linga’, and Shakti as the Goddess.

Festivals

Navaratri is celebrated grandly here. Other festivals celebrated are Shri Ram Navami, Shri Mahalakshmi Pratishthapana Day in Vaisakha and Maha Shivaratri Festival in the month of Magha. The main idol of the Goddess Mahalaxmi is also taken out during the festival of Mahashivaratri, on a chariot carried on the shoulders of devotees.