Shri Mangesh(Mangueshi) Temple in Priol near Panji Goa India

Shri Mangesh or Mangueshi temple is one of the largest and most frequently visited temples in Goa and is worshipped with great reverence by the devotees.Here is Some fact about Shri Mangesh(Mangueshi) Temple in Priol near Panji Goa India.

Location: Mangueshi Village in Pirol, Ponda taluka, Goa
Address: Dinanath Mangeshkar Road, Ponda, Goa - 403401, Mangeshi, North Goa
Phone: +(91)-832-2343338, 2343904,+(91)9822124711,+(91)832-2343338
Built in: 1567 AD
Re Built in: 1973
Built By: Portuguese
Dedicated to: Lord Shiva
Entry: Free
Photography: Outside Allow inside not allow
Significance : One of the most Shiva temple
Main Attraction: A Lamp Tower, A Welcome Gate, A Noubatkhana & Agarshalas.
Temple timing: 6:00 Am to 10:00 Pm
Visiting timing: 1 hour
Best time to visit: Oct to Feb
Nearest Railway station: Madgaon railway station(17 Km)
Nearest Airport: Dabolim Airport Goa(15 Km)

More Information about Shri Mangesh Temple

Shri Mangesh or Mangueshi Temple is located at Mangueshi Village in Pirol, Ponda taluka, Goa it is at a distance of 1km from Mardol and close to Nagueshi, Panaji the Capital of Goa is about 22 km and Margao 26 km.The temple was built in 1567 and rebuilt in 1973 by Portuguese.The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.The Shri Mangueshi Temple attracts thousands of visitors every year and is gifted by the 'Welcome Gate', an elegant lamp tower, a 'Noubatkhana' overlooking the temple tank and the 'Agrashalas' on three sides.In the temple of Mangesh is a prominent Nandi Bull which is considered to be the Vahana (Vehicle) of Shiva. The temple complex consists of a spacious courtyard surrounded by the temple itself and rooms for weddings and pilgrims. The temple also has a magnificent water tank, which is believed to be the oldest part of the temple.

The sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha) of the temple which is decorated with a beautiful silver gateway housed the golden image of Lord Mangesh crowned atop with a ferocious image of Lord Narsinha. Decorative windows, handrailings, entrance columns, pediments, all give the temple an irresistible look. The deity looks bright decorated with locally available flowers, ornaments, shawl etc.Local women sell beautiful local flowers, Bilvapatra (leaves), Karmalam sold on leaf plates with masala, Mango and jackfruit cakes (a Goan speciality know as saat).

History of Shri Mangesh Temple

Shri Mangesh temple actually had its origins in Kushasthali, now know as Cortalim, a village in Salcete. Salcete fell into Portuguese rule in 1543. This temple was dutifully preserved until the arrival of the Inquisition from Europe in 1567, when it was vandalised and demolished . In the year 1560, the Portuguese started Christian conversions in Salsette taluka, the Saraswats of Vatsa Gotra felt insecure and shifted the Mangesh Linga from the original site at the Kushasthali or Cortalim on the banks of river Aghanashini to present place in May 1st, 1560 A.D. (according to Hindu calendar - 1482 sakha) to the locality now known as Mangeshim in Priol village of Atrunja Taluka, which at that time was ruled by the Hindu kings of Sonde. After remaining in the house of a temple priest for sometime, Sri Mangesh deity was finally installed in its present site at Priol. The original site was a very simple structure, and the current structure was only built under Maratha rule, some 150 years after it had been moved. 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 staunt follower of Shri Mangesh. Ironically, just a few years after it was built, this area too fell into Portuguese hand in 1764, but by now, the Portuguese had lost their initial religious zeal and had become quite tolerant of other religions, and so, this structure remained untouched.

Festival Celebrated in Shri Mangesh Temple

The Annual festivals that take place in Mangesh temple are Rama Navami, Akshaya Tritiya, Anant Vritotsava, Dussera, and Diwali. The main annual festival of this Temple falls on the day of “Magh Pournima” in February (it begins on Magha Shukla Saptami and ends of Magha Poornima). The three day zatra of Shri Mangesh takes place in the lavish temple in the Ponda district which draws huge and colorful crowds. Navaratri and Shivaratri are observed grandly with Makharotsava. And during the time of March the festivals of Holi or Shigmo take place here.