Mahalasa
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Mahalasa is the Mohini avatar of Lord Vishnu.She is also known as Mhalshi and Mhalasa. In Goa and elsewhere, Mahalasa is considered as the Mohini form of Lord Vishnu and hence she is referred to as "Mahalasa Narayani". The deity, it may particularly be noted, also wears the holy thread, which is its unique feature. This holy thread is only worn by Brahmin men and also the male gods. No other goddess in the Hindu Pantheon wears this kind of thread except goddess Mahalasa. Mahalasa is the Kuldevi (family goddess) of many Goud Saraswat Brahmins,Karhade Brahmins and Daivajnas.
According another tradition, Mhalsa is believed to be a combined avatara of Mohini and Parvati and the first wife of Khandoba(A warrior god in Maharashtra and believed to be an Avatar of Shiva). She is worshipped with Khandoba in all centres of his worship, including Jejuri.
The temple of Mhalsa lies in Mardol, Ponda, Goa, India. It was shifted here from the Velha conquistas (Saxty/salcette), Goa to avoid destruction during the forcible Christianization of Salcette, Goa, India.
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[edit] Legend
When the Amrut was obtained by churning of the ocean by the Devas and Danavas, a fight broke between them to claim it. In order to help the gods, Lord Vishnu took the Mohini avatar (form of an enchantress). As a beautiful Damsel, Lord Vishnu took hold of the Jar of Amrut and served it to the devas. This Mohini form of Lord Vishnu is worshipped by the Hindus as the Goddess Mahalasa Narayani.
According to another legend linking her to Khandoba, Mhalsa is believed to be a combined avatara of Mohini and Parvati. Mhalsa was born as the daughter of a rich merchant in Newase called Timshet. On the dinine orders of Khandoba in a dream to Timshet, she was married to Khandoba on Pausha Pournima (the full moon day of Hindu calendar month of Paush) in Pali (Pembar). Two shivlingas appeared on this occasion. An annual festival marking this event is celebrated in Pali every Paush Pournima.
[edit] Mahalasa Temple
Some believe that the main temple of Goddess was originally located in Nepal during the Kaliyuga. She was moved to Aurangabad in Maharashtra. During the Mughal domination, Aurangabad fell under the Muslim rule and the idol was moved to a secret location in Goa. Later, a small temple was built at Verna. Roughly, a few hundred years later, the Portuguese conquered Goa, and the temple was moved to Mardol.
The temple complex also has smaller temples of Santeri and Laxmi-Narayan who are worshipped daily with Mahalasa. The five main ganas of the Goddess namely Grampurush, Bhagwati, Dadh, Simha Purush and Mhal Purush are also located within the same temple premises and daily worship of all these deities is carried out before worshipping the main goddess.
The temple is famous in Goa for its huge brass bell. The bell does not have a ringer. The ringer was attached only when somebody wanted to testify. It was believed that the goddess will punish the person who lied while ringing the bell. The belief was so strong that during the Portuguese rule the testimony in the temple was considered acceptable in the court of law.
The temple is also famous for its Brass Samai (oil lamp).
[edit] Rituals and Festivals
Sunday holds a special significance for the temple and the 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 palenquin. The palenquin is decked up with flowers and traditional colourful decorations. A large crowd gathers to participate in the event and the devotees sing her praises.
The Magha Jatra (festival) at the temple and Navaratri are the days of importance in the yearly calendar.
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[edit] Other Temples Dedicated to Mahalasa
In recent years, due to the increased popularity of the goddess, new temples have been established in Verna,Kumta, Mudgeri,Kundapura, Basruru, Shirva, Mangalore and other areas mostly along coastal Karnataka.
