Mahamaya Kalika Devasthan Kasarpal

Mahamaya Kalika Saunsthan ( श्री संस्थान महामाया कालिका ) is a temple located in Kansarpal village in Bicholim taluka in Goa, India.^[1] The presiding deity of the temple is Kali worshipped in the form of Mahamaya, normally Kali is worshipped in a very fierce form, but it is believed that after killing the demons Shumbha and Nishumbha, the deity's anger was soothed and the Shanta, Soumya form of fierce Devi is worshipped in Goa.

History

The temple is more than 800 years old, and was renovated by Kadamba kings, as mentioned in the copper inscriptions Bhoja king Devaraja of Gomin donated the temple and the land to a coppersmith named Nagadeva. It seems that the temple was later acquired by the wealthy Daivajnas or the Shettis of Goa who were more financially and politically influential than Nagadeva's kinsmen and descendants, in the 13th century. Later in the 16th century by a Daivajna Mantri in Bhonsale King's royal court in Sawantwadi.

Iconography

The main idol in the sanctum sanctorum is more than 800 years old and is a masterpiece of Kadamba sculptures. The deity is four armed, shows each hand carrying variously a Khadga ( sword ), a trishul ( trident ), a Khetaka ( Shield ) and a bowl Kapala to drink Soma rasa.

Other affiliated deities

The temple Panchishta includes the following deities:

1. Devi Panchayatana (worshiped in the main sanctum sanctorum, includes Shivalinga, Shaligrama etc.)
2. Ravalnath
3. Hedgeshwar
4. Shetyeshwar
5. Palnath
6. Bhumika Devi
7. Kshetrapal

Surprisingly, a Buddhist idol of Shakyamuni is found in the temple, as a remnant of the Buddhist sect that prevailed in Goa till the early 12th century AD. This idol still remains a mystery.

The temple architecture

The temple is a masterpiece of Goan temple architecture, with a huge Sabhamantapa,Antarala,Chowk,Sarwali and Garbhakud, with a huge golden Kalasha. Temple is surrounded by Agrashalas, two beautiful Praveshdwaras and a magnificent Deepastambha is eye-catching.

The devotees

The deity is believed to be patron deity of Gomantak Daivadnya Brahmin community spread all over India. The patrons of the temples or the Mahajans are divided into four groups:

• Sashtikar
• Bardeskar
• Tiswadkar
• Antrujkar

Festivals

• The main festival of the temple is called as Shishirotsav or popularly known as Shigmo in Goa. Its a 10-day-long celebration, includes procession of deities in diffent Vahanas, other rituals like Ganga Pujan, Homa, Dhwajarohana, Gulalotsava, Rathotsava etc.
• Navaratri
• Vasant Puja
• Akshay Tritiya
• Dasara
• Avali Bhojan

Museum

It is the first temple in Goa to have a private museum on its own, titled as Kaalamba Sangrahaalaya.It has objects of ancient, medieval and the modern period. The museum has around 10 small galleries housing rare antiquities including stone sculptures, brass lamps, wooden and silver artifacts etc.^[2]

See also

• Goan temple
• Kansarpal
• List of Temples in Goa

Notes

1. ^ Mahamaya Kalika temple on Wikimapia
2. ^ "Kalamba devi Sangrahalaya". Panaji: Navahind times. http://www.navhindtimes.in/iexplore/kaalamba-sangrahaalai-first-private-temple-museum-goa. Retrieved 28 April 2010. 

References

1. "Shree Devi Kalika", by Shreepadrao P. Madkaikar, Kalika Prakashan, April 1984, Pages-5-78
2. Official website of Shree Mahamaya Kalika temple
3. "Hindu Temples and deities" by Rui Pereira Gomes
4. "Gomant Kalika"(monthly), published by Kalika Prakashan Vishwast Mandal
5. "Gomantak Prakruti ani Sanskruti" by B.D. Satoskar, published by Shubhada Publication

External links

• Official website of Shree Mahamaya Kalika temple