The Flight of Gods 15. Mahalakshmi Temple, Bandodem

 

The Flight of Gods
by Mohan PaiShri Mahalakshmi Temple

Bandodem

Shri Mahalaxmi temple is situated at Bandode 4 kms east of Ponda town. This is an ancient temple. The Southern Silaharas and the Kadambas of Goa were the worshippers of the deity.

Silver filigree work – entrance to garbhagriha – photo by Mohan Pai

This is an ancient temple and a stone inscriptionof the year 1413 AD at the Nagueshi templementions the donations made to the temple ofShri Mahalaxmi by one Main Shenoy duringthe Vijayanagar period.

The Mantap – photo by Mohan Pai

There was another temple of Shri Mahalaxmiat Kolva (Salcete) but it was destroyed by the Portugese in the 16th century and the idol was shifted to the already existing temple at Bandode.The Temple – photo by Mohan Pai

Shri Mahalaxm is believed to be an incarnation of Adishakti and is worshipped by Gaud Sarswats who belong to the Shakti cult.

The special feature of the deity is that she wears Lingam, a symbol of Shiva on her head. The Sabha Mantap has a series of 24 carved and brightly painted wooden panels that show scenes from the Bhagwat Purana.

Deepasthamba – photo by Mohan Pai

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