mangeshi the temple for saraswat brahmins
BACKGROUND
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.
SHRI MANGESHI
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. Following the adoption of the constitution in 1885 for the management of temple and its properties, the plan for constructing the present temple by raising funds from the devotees was conceived. The work commenced in October 1888 and the temple was ready in 1890.
BACKGROUND
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.
SHRI MANGESHI
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. Following the adoption of the constitution in 1885 for the management of temple and its properties, the plan for constructing the present temple by raising funds from the devotees was conceived. The work commenced in October 1888 and the temple was ready in 1890.
THE PRESENT TEMPLE
The temple is a modern piece of architecture blended with traditional Hindu pattern. The entrance to the temple bears an image, which wards off every thing impure from the inner precincts of the temple and maintains its sanctity.
In front of the entrance but slightly to the north stands the Deepa Stambha, the column of lights. History does not record when it was built, but judging by the pattern of its construction, it might have been built during the first half of the eighteenth century. It is the tallest and most imposing column in Goa and looks most beautiful on festival nights when illuminated with traditional oil lamps.
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.
THE SABHA GRIHA
The Sabha Griha is a spacious hall with sitting capacity of over 500. It is richly decorated with chandeliers of the nineteenth century and adorned with photos of Lord in different styles. Here the devotees assemble twice a day to invoke the blessings of the Lord, listen to Hari Katha and music, and have the first glimpse of the deities.
The central part of the Sabha Griha leading to the Garbha Griha is kept free in order to ensure that even from the entrance the visitor can have the darshan of the Lord.
History claims that when Kushasthal was a forest, it was a grazing ground for cattle. One of the cows, however, used to visit a particular spot covered by trees and shower milk on it every noon. Out of sheer curiosity, the caretaker followed the cow and discovered the spot. This was subsequently identified by his master, Shiva Sharma, as the Shiva Linga -- the Linga of Lord Mangesh.
This Shiva Linga was worshipped in the Sactum Sanctorum of the temple at Kushasthal for thousands of years prior to 1560, and then shifted to Mangeshi in 1560.
The Shiva Linga is worshipped thrice a day -- morning, afternoon and evening.
THE DEITIES
Moolkeshwar
The temple behind the main temple is of Moolkeshwar. He was the caretaker of the cow belonging to Shiva Sharma, whose curiosity about the cow entering the particular spot of the forest forest to shower milk led to the discovery of the Shiva Linga.
He was so much respected by the devotees of the Lord, that they decided to immortalize him. He is paid the highest respect by the devotees.
Deva Sharma or Grama Purusha
In front of Nandikeshwar, the murti of Deva Sharma has been installed. He came to Kutthal while on a pilgrimage and commanded the respect of Gaud Saraswats and other villagers for his talents and qualities of leadership. The Gauda Saraswats of Vatsa Gotra acknowledge him as their forefather and the whole village accepted him as its leader, Gram Purusha. He was also the first person to whom the Lord gave darshan at Kushasthal (Kutthal).
Deva Sharma was a staunch devotee of the Lord and was considered inseparable from Him. This is why every devotee worships him after worshipping the Shivalinga. Indeed, the wish and decision of the Lord are ascertained through him only.
Shiva Sharma
A few yards away from the Mangeshi temple is the temple of Shiv Sharma, who identified the Shiva Linga and invoked the blessings of Shri Mangirish. He was the head of Gaud Saraswats belonging to Kaundinya Gotra. He is acknowledged as their forefather.
Kalbhairav
On the ground floor of the Nagarkhana building, is a small temple of Kalbhairav. He is the custodian of the land who wards off all evils. The figure with sword in hand is imposing and dates back to the sixteenth centuryTEMPLE
THE PRESENT The temple is a modern piece of architecture blended with traditional Hindu pattern. The entrance to the temple bears an image, which wards off every thing impure from the inner precincts of the temple and maintains its sanctity.
In front of the entrance but slightly to the north stands the Deepa Stambha, the column of lights. History does not record when it was built, but judging by the pattern of its construction, it might have been built during the first half of the eighteenth century. It is the tallest and most imposing column in Goa and looks most beautiful on festival nights when illuminated with traditional oil lamps.
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.
SHRI MANGESHI
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. Following the adoption of the constitution in 1885 for the management of temple and its properties, the plan for constructing the present temple by raising funds from the devotees was conceived. The work commenced in October 1888 and the temple was ready in 1890.
BACKGROUND
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.
SHRI MANGESHI
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. Following the adoption of the constitution in 1885 for the management of temple and its properties, the plan for constructing the present temple by raising funds from the devotees was conceived. The work commenced in October 1888 and the temple was ready in 1890.
THE PRESENT TEMPLE
The temple is a modern piece of architecture blended with traditional Hindu pattern. The entrance to the temple bears an image, which wards off every thing impure from the inner precincts of the temple and maintains its sanctity.
In front of the entrance but slightly to the north stands the Deepa Stambha, the column of lights. History does not record when it was built, but judging by the pattern of its construction, it might have been built during the first half of the eighteenth century. It is the tallest and most imposing column in Goa and looks most beautiful on festival nights when illuminated with traditional oil lamps.
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.
THE SABHA GRIHA
The Sabha Griha is a spacious hall with sitting capacity of over 500. It is richly decorated with chandeliers of the nineteenth century and adorned with photos of Lord in different styles. Here the devotees assemble twice a day to invoke the blessings of the Lord, listen to Hari Katha and music, and have the first glimpse of the deities.
The central part of the Sabha Griha leading to the Garbha Griha is kept free in order to ensure that even from the entrance the visitor can have the darshan of the Lord.
History claims that when Kushasthal was a forest, it was a grazing ground for cattle. One of the cows, however, used to visit a particular spot covered by trees and shower milk on it every noon. Out of sheer curiosity, the caretaker followed the cow and discovered the spot. This was subsequently identified by his master, Shiva Sharma, as the Shiva Linga -- the Linga of Lord Mangesh.
This Shiva Linga was worshipped in the Sactum Sanctorum of the temple at Kushasthal for thousands of years prior to 1560, and then shifted to Mangeshi in 1560.
The Shiva Linga is worshipped thrice a day -- morning, afternoon and evening.
THE DEITIES
Moolkeshwar
The temple behind the main temple is of Moolkeshwar. He was the caretaker of the cow belonging to Shiva Sharma, whose curiosity about the cow entering the particular spot of the forest forest to shower milk led to the discovery of the Shiva Linga.
He was so much respected by the devotees of the Lord, that they decided to immortalize him. He is paid the highest respect by the devotees.
Deva Sharma or Grama Purusha
In front of Nandikeshwar, the murti of Deva Sharma has been installed. He came to Kutthal while on a pilgrimage and commanded the respect of Gaud Saraswats and other villagers for his talents and qualities of leadership. The Gauda Saraswats of Vatsa Gotra acknowledge him as their forefather and the whole village accepted him as its leader, Gram Purusha. He was also the first person to whom the Lord gave darshan at Kushasthal (Kutthal).
Deva Sharma was a staunch devotee of the Lord and was considered inseparable from Him. This is why every devotee worships him after worshipping the Shivalinga. Indeed, the wish and decision of the Lord are ascertained through him only.
Shiva Sharma
A few yards away from the Mangeshi temple is the temple of Shiv Sharma, who identified the Shiva Linga and invoked the blessings of Shri Mangirish. He was the head of Gaud Saraswats belonging to Kaundinya Gotra. He is acknowledged as their forefather.
Kalbhairav
On the ground floor of the Nagarkhana building, is a small temple of Kalbhairav. He is the custodian of the land who wards off all evils. The figure with sword in hand is imposing and dates back to the sixteenth centuryTEMPLE
THE PRESENT The temple is a modern piece of architecture blended with traditional Hindu pattern. The entrance to the temple bears an image, which wards off every thing impure from the inner precincts of the temple and maintains its sanctity.
In front of the entrance but slightly to the north stands the Deepa Stambha, the column of lights. History does not record when it was built, but judging by the pattern of its construction, it might have been built during the first half of the eighteenth century. It is the tallest and most imposing column in Goa and looks most beautiful on festival nights when illuminated with traditional oil lamps.
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