Shri Mahalsa Narayani Temple, in Ponda in Goa, honours Goddess Mahalasa Narayani, worshipped as Mohini, the female form of Vishnu. It is also known as Mahalasa Devasthan Mardol.
Mahalasa is depicted with four arms holding a trishula, sword, severed head and drinking bowl, and wears a sacred thread usually associated with male deities; the temple is among Goa's most visited ancient shrines and is also known for a large brass bell traditionally used only for oath taking. The deity was originally worshipped near Velham in Salcete taluka.
Goa carries a distinct temple identity of its own: Goa's temple heritage is concentrated largely in the Ponda taluka, where centuries old Saraswat deities and shrines survive after being carried inland to escape Portuguese era destruction and forced conversion.
Darshan hours and daily worship
| Session | Timing (as published) |
|---|---|
| Morning | 6:30 AM |
| Evening | 8:30 PM |
Some sources list temple hours as 5 AM to 9 PM; confirm locally, as timings can shift for festivals.
Festivals and special-day timings
Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.
| Festival | Period | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Magha Jatra (Jatra Mahotsav) | February | The temple's main annual festival, also called the Mardol Jatra |
| Navaratri | Annual festival observed at the temple |
History and architecture
Architecture
Temple complex includes subsidiary shrines to Shantadurga and Lakshmi Narayan and shrines for the five ganas of Mahalasa; features a 40 foot, five metal deepstambha built in the 17th century with 21 rings of 150 small lamps, and an inner hall carved with the ten avatars of Vishnu
History
The deity was originally worshipped near Velham in Salcete taluka. The original temple there was destroyed by Portuguese forces in 1567 during a period of forced Christian conversion. The rescued icon was reconsecrated at the present site in Mardol, outside Portuguese controlled territory, in the 17th century.
Planning your visit
How to reach
About 22 km from Panaji's Kadamba bus terminus, 26 km from Margao, and 41 km from Vasco da Gama, in Mardol village, Ponda taluka
Where this information comes from
Confidence: Medium. Reported timings vary across sources; poojas and entry fee were not documented in the sources found