Mahalsa Narayni Temple, Madol

Mahalsa Narayni Temple is a Hindu temple to the goddess mahalsa, located in mardol, ponda in the Indian state of goa. Mahalsa is identified with Mohini, the female avatar of the god Vishnu. Mahalsa has four hands, carrying a Trishul, a sward, a severed head, and a drinking bowl. She stands on a prostrate man on demon, as a tiger or lion licks blood dripping from the severed head. She also wears the yajnopavita, which is generally dedicated on male deities. She stands on a prostrate man or demon, as a tiger or lion licks blood drinking from the severed head. Goud Sara swat Brahmins as well as Vaishnava’s from goa and south cancora identifies her with Mohini and call her Narayni and Rahu-Matthani, the slayer of Rahu, as told in the Bhavishya purana.

While in this shrin, mahalsa is associated with mohini and Vishnu, in the khandoba cult, she is regarded as a form of goddess Parvathi and wife of khandoba, a form of Shiva. Mahalsa order temple in old mardol or velhem or Verna, salcette was destroyed by Portuguese in 1567, though the icon of the mahalsa was rescued. It was shifted here from Velhem to avoid destruction during the forcible Christianisation of salcetta. When the current temple in mardol was built in the 17^th century, the icon was reconverted.                  

Sunday holds a special significance for the temple and the presiding goddess. On this day, Palakhi seva is performed in addition to other rituals. The goddess is taken out for a ride around the temple in a palakhi. The palakhi is decked up with flowers and traditional colourful decoration. A large crowd gathers to participate in the event and the devotes sing her praises.