Mangesh or Mangeshi or Mangueshi Temple is located in Mangeshi Village in Priol, Ponda taluk, Goa. Mangesh temple is at a distance of 1 km from Mardol close to Nagueshi, 21 km from Panaji and 26 km from Margao.
Shree Mangueshi is considered the family deity of the Goud Saraswat Brahman community. The Spiritual chief of Shri Manguesh Saunsthan, Mangueshi is Shrimad Swamiji of Shri Kavale Math. The temple is among the largest and most popular ones in Goa, drawing many visitors. In 2011, the temple, along with other nearby temples, implemented a dress code for visitors.
Mangueshi Temple offers daily worship services, with a wide variety of pujas being performed each day. Every morning, visitors can witness the Shodshopchar pujas, which include Abhisheka, Laghurudra, and Maharudra. At noon, a grand Maha-Aarti takes place, and a Panchopchar pooja is performed at night.
In addition to these daily rituals, every Monday the temple holds a special procession known as Palakhi, during which the idol of Manguesh is carried accompanied by music, before the evening Aarti.
Mangueshi Temple celebrates several annual festivals including Rama Navami, Akshaya Tritiya, Anant Vritotsava, Navaratri, Dussera, Diwali, Magha Poornima Festival (Jatrotsav), and Mahashivratri. The Magha Poornima Festival starts on Magha Shukla Saptami and culminates on Magha Poornima.
About The Deity
The main temple located in Priol village of Atrunja Taluka is dedicated to Bhagavan Manguesh, an incarnation of Shiva. According to legend, Shiva had taken the form of a tiger to scare his wife Parvati, but upon hearing her cries for help, he returned to his normal form. The words “Trahi Mam girisha!” that Parvati had exclaimed became associated with Shiva and over time the words got abbreviated to Manguirisha or Manguesh.
The temple is home to the sacred Shiva linga, worshipped as Bhagavan Mangesh. The deity is revered as the kuldevta of many Goud Saraswat Brahmins. The temple has a rich history dating back to the 16th century when it was moved to its current location from Kushasthali Cortalim. The temple has been rebuilt and renovated multiple times, including a significant renovation in 1973 when a golden kalasha (holy vessel) was placed atop the tallest dome of the temple. Today, it is one of the most frequently visited temples in Goa and holds great spiritual significance for Hindus across the world.
Other Deities in the Temple
- Nandikeshvar
- Gajanan
- Bhagavati
- Gramapurusha Deva Sharma of the Vatsa gotra
- Mulakeshwsar
- Virabhadra
- Saanteri
- Lakshminarayana
- Suryanarayan
- Garuda
- Kala Bhairav
Goa Mangesh Temple Timings: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Goa Mangesh Aarti Timings: 12:00 Noon & 10:00 PM
Mangueshi Temple History
The Mangueshi Temple has a rich history dating back to the 16th century when it was originally located in Kushasthali Cortalim village in Mormugão. However, due to the Portuguese invasion and their attempts at Christian conversion, the Saraswats of Kaundinya Gotra and Vatsa Gotra moved the Mangesh Linga to its present location in Priol village of Atrunja Taluka.
Over the years, the temple has been rebuilt and renovated twice during the reign of the Marathas, and again in 1890. The final renovation took place in 1973 when a golden kalasha was placed atop the tallest dome of the temple, adding to its beauty and grandeur.
Despite the temple’s relocation and reconstruction, it remains one of the most visited temples in Goa, attracting devotees from all over the world. The Peshwas even donated the village of Mangeshi to the temple in 1739, and it has since become a significant landmark in the region.
The temple’s original site was a simple structure, and the current structure was only built under Maratha rule, some 150 years after it had been moved. Although the area fell into Portuguese hands in 1763, the Portuguese had become tolerant of other religions by this time, and the temple remained untouched. If you’re planning a trip to Goa, make sure to visit this historic and beautiful temple that has stood the test of time.
Temple Legend
According to legend, the Mangesh Linga was consecrated by Brahma on the Mangireesh mountain situated on the banks of the Bhagirathi river. The linga was brought to Trihotrapuri in Bihar by the Saraswat Brahmins before being carried to Gomantaka. Eventually, the linga was settled in the village of Mormugao on the banks of the Zuari river, known as Kushasthali (modern-day Cortalim). It was at this location that the Saraswat Brahmins established their most sacred temple, dedicated to the Bhagavan Manguesh, an incarnation of Shiva. Today, the Mangesh Linga is worshipped at the Mangueshi Temple, one of the most popular and frequently visited temples in Goa.
Mangueshi Temple Contact
Dinanath Mangeshkar Road,
Mangeshi village,
Mardol,
Goa – 403401.