Shri Mangueshi Temple in Mardol

SHRI MANGUESHI TEMPLE

Mangeshi, Mardol, Goa, India

God

Mangesh is the main deity of this temple, who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Here Shiva is in form of Lingam.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit the temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to February.

Weather

Highest - March to May (35°C during day and 24°C during night)Average - May (35°C during the day and 27°C during night)Lowest - November to February (28°C during day and 20°C during night)Monsoon season - July to September

Dress Code

For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.

Do's & Dont's

Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.

Smoking and drinking is prohibited in this temple.
Chewing betel leaves, tobacco, gutka and spitting inside temple is strictly prohibited.

transport connections

Name	Distance	Contact Number
Ponda KTC Bus Stand	7.6 KM	0832-2438029
Karmali Railway Station	12.7 KM	139
Goa International Airport	32.8 KM	0832-2540806

Railway Station Name	Distance	Contact Number
Karmali Railway Station	12.7 KM	139

Airport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Goa International Airport	32.8 KM	0832-2540806

Architecture

Shri Mangueshi Temple high storeyed Deepstambha is classical and elegant in its own style and on its bottom storey are panels carved with religious themes and figures of deities. There are various domes over the entrance hall with a repeat of the octagonal type of dome and the two side entrances creating the cruciform ground plan are also domed. The entrance hall is linked with the tower over the sanctum by a steep tiled roof over the mandapa. An octagonal drum supports the dome of the tower which is extended for height purposes. The dome in turn supports a cylindrical lantern with a gleaming golden finial elegantly built and linked by balustrades appearing at each level. The design of a flattened globe or 'amalaka' symbolizing fruit and fertility is vertically grooved all round except the main dome. Besides the main temple of Mangesh, there are other shrines dedicated to the family deity within the temple itself or separate temples within the temple complex.

The image of the Nandi bull also known as Shiva's mountat the far end of the hall lies just before the screen that secludes the main shrine and a carved wooden rail ensures further protection on either sides. The screen is deeply carved and overlaid with silver similar to reredos in churches. The beautiful designs are inspired from many sources with the two massive doors leading to the shrine housing the deity deep within. Either side of the doorway has silver statues of guardians of the shrine encased in niches of the screen.

Religious Significance

Legend behind the origin of the Linga : Mangeshi is devoted to one of the avatars of Lord Shiva. The story goes that during a game of dice Lord Shiva lost everything he possessed to his wife Parvati, even his home on mount Kailasa in the Himalayas. He left his abode and wandered to South India and reached Goa. He decided to stay there and meditate. His wife Parvati, heartbroken and lonely, came searching for him. While moving through the dense forests in Goa she encountered a tiger. In fright she shouted, “Trahi Mam Girisha”. Which meant ‘Oh Lord of the mountain protect me’. Turns out the tiger changed his form into Shiva, who had changed his form to frighten Parvati. Of course Lord Shiva and Parvati reunited. To mark the occasion, Lord Shiva adopted the name Mam Girish, last two words of Parvati’s cry. Later a cowherd noticed that one of his cows would always visit a spot and sprinkle it with milk. Upon investigation by him he discovered the Linga. The villagers of Kushastali (present day Cortalim) soon built a temple in which it could be housed.

History

The history of the Mangueshi temple is significant in the context of the Potuguese invasion as this is one of the temples that were destroyed by the invaders in 1567. The Peshwas donated the village of Mangeshi to the temple in 1739 on the suggestion of their Sardar, Shri Ramchandra Malhar Sukhtankar, who was a staunch follower of Shri Mangesh. The Portuguese destroyed this temple when Salcate was added to their territory. The final renovation occurred in the year 1973 when a golden kalash (holy vessel) was fitted atop the tall dome of the temple.

Temple Timings

Day	Timings
All Days	06:00 AM - 08:30 PM

Tours

Airports

Airport Name	Distance
Shamshabad	40 KM
Lorem Ipsum	12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name	Distance
Secunderabad	10 KM
Nampally	12 KM
Begumpet	6 KM
Lingampally	20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name	Distance
MGBS	35 KM
CBS	28 KM
kukatpally	20 KM
Lingampally	30 KM
Uppal	35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Private Transport	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757