Shri Mahalsa Temple Information :

Location : Mardol village, Ponda, North Goa
Significance :Dedicated to Goddess Mahalsa, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu
Highlights : Six storied 'Deepstambha' or ornamental lamp pillar
Festivals : Annual Jatra, Jaiyanchi Puja, Kojagiri Pornima

About the Shri Mahalsa Temple :

There are many temples in Goa . These temples although stand out from other temples of India for their architectural differences but devotion, celebration and the process of thanksgiving is as same as in other parts of the nation. And serving to this similarity is temple Shri Mahalsa at Mardol in Goa.

The Shri Mahalsa Temple is situated about 1 km away from the Shri Mangueshi temple located in the village of Mardol. Shri Mahalsa Temple is consecrated to the god of power. The word ‘Mahalasa' actually translates as a form of ‘Shakti', ‘Madalasa' or ‘Narayani'. The deity is worshipped as the manifestation and attribute of the Lord Vishnu as ‘Mohini'. To put it so, this temple is attributed to the Mohini image of Lord Vishnu incarnated during the fight between Devas (deities) and Asuras (demons).

The first thing on entering this temple you will see is a huge ‘Deep Stambha' made of five metals. This ‘Deep Stambha' was constructed in 17 th century at the premises of Shri Mahalsa at Mardol.

The Shri Mahalsa at Mardol features beautiful wooden carvings of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. There is a mammoth round pillars also that support the ‘Sabha Mandap' at the entrance. However, the ‘Sabha Mandap' is reconstructed to manifest the glorious past of the original temple located at Verna in Salcete Taluka.

How to Reach Mahalsa Temple :

The Mahalasa temple is located about a km from the famous Mangueshi temple, off the NH 4A connecting Ponda to Panaji.