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SHRI MAHALAXMI TEMPLE
Shri Mahalaxmi Temple is 4kms from Ponda in the village Bandora. Shri Nagesh Maharoudra Temple is destined approximately 300 meter apart. The presiding deity is Shri Mahalaxmi other deities in the temple are Shri Narayan, Shri Baleshwar, Shri Ravalnath and Shri Narayan Purush. This place was known in the past as "Bandiwad" or "Bandivadem".
Mahalaxmi is a Goddess of power and strength. She is believed to be an incarnation of 'Adishakti' -the supreme power and energy. The Shaktas, among the Saraswats, worshiped Adishakti in the form of the linga. Many accept her as Pallavi, their supporting deity, believing that this Goddess of tremendous strength and power was released when the devas and rakshasas were churning the ocean for amrita (nectar). This was popularly known as the Amruthmanthan. The Saraswats at the timeof their arrival in Goa, were worshippers ‘Shiva-Shakti’. While Shiva was represented by the ‘Linga’, Shakti was a Goddess. Thus Shri Mahalaxmi was their Goddess. This Goddess has been worshipped by the Shilahara rulers (750-1030A.D.) and the Kadamba Kings of Goa. This peaceful or Satvika form of Devi has a of unique feature, that she wears Linga on her head. To give them each two bawls of rice after the mid-day Mahapuja. This practice is carried out even today at a small hut constructed (near the temple) in memory of these two devotees.
The Bandora Mahalaxmi, which resembles the Mahalaxmi idol at Kolhapur in Maharashtra has four arms. These arms hold a sickle, a club, a dagger, and a vessel containing Prasad and flowers. Even today one can see the original stone idol at the centre of ‘Garbhagar’, while the small metal idol brought from Colva is placed in corner. Actually Shri Mahalaxmi Temple was located in Bandora during the historical time when Parashuram along with ten ‘Gotra’ Saraswat Brahmin Rishi migrated towards the south of India. This is as mentioned in the Shriskanda puran Uttar Rahasya Sahayadri Khanda Prathmodhya.
Shri Mahalaxmi Temple is 4kms from Ponda in the village Bandora. Shri Nagesh Maharoudra Temple is destined approximately 300 meter apart. The presiding deity is Shri Mahalaxmi other deities in the temple are Shri Narayan, Shri Baleshwar, Shri Ravalnath and Shri Narayan Purush. This place was known in the past as "Bandiwad" or "Bandivadem".
Mahalaxmi is a Goddess of power and strength. She is believed to be an incarnation of 'Adishakti' -the supreme power and energy. The Shaktas, among the Saraswats, worshiped Adishakti in the form of the linga. Many accept her as Pallavi, their supporting deity, believing that this Goddess of tremendous strength and power was released when the devas and rakshasas were churning the ocean for amrita (nectar). This was popularly known as the Amruthmanthan. The Saraswats at the timeof their arrival in Goa, were worshippers ‘Shiva-Shakti’. While Shiva was represented by the ‘Linga’, Shakti was a Goddess. Thus Shri Mahalaxmi was their Goddess. This Goddess has been worshipped by the Shilahara rulers (750-1030A.D.) and the Kadamba Kings of Goa. This peaceful or Satvika form of Devi has a of unique feature, that she wears Linga on her head. To give them each two bawls of rice after the mid-day Mahapuja. This practice is carried out even today at a small hut constructed (near the temple) in memory of these two devotees.
The Bandora Mahalaxmi, which resembles the Mahalaxmi idol at Kolhapur in Maharashtra has four arms. These arms hold a sickle, a club, a dagger, and a vessel containing Prasad and flowers. Even today one can see the original stone idol at the centre of ‘Garbhagar’, while the small metal idol brought from Colva is placed in corner. Actually Shri Mahalaxmi Temple was located in Bandora during the historical time when Parashuram along with ten ‘Gotra’ Saraswat Brahmin Rishi migrated towards the south of India. This is as mentioned in the Shriskanda puran Uttar Rahasya Sahayadri Khanda Prathmodhya.