Mahalasa Narayani Temple - Verna

MAHALASA NARAYANI (ALSO KNOWN AS MHALSHI) IS “MOHINI AVATAR” OF LORD VISHNU. THIS AVATAR WAS TAKEN IN ORDER TO SECURE “AMRUT” WHICH WAS OBTAINED FROM SAMUDRA MANTHAN (CHURNING OF THE SEA), FROM DANAVAS (DEMON) TO SERVE DEVAS (GODS).

In Salcette taluka, there is a village of Verna which is one of the leading industrial estates in Goa where a beautiful temple of Mahaalasa Nararayani is erected. I will narrate to you a mythological story on “Arrival of goddess Shri Mahaalasa from sacred place of Nevaase(Nepal) to Dicholim of Gomaantak(Goa)”. It seems a Brahmin in Nevaase (who worshipped Mahaalasa Narayani) had divine vision to return back to Dicholim (his native place), with pitcher in which she will reside to come to Goa. Villagers were happy on the arrival of Mahalasa in their village and carved idol with devotion and placed it in one small temple which was later destroyed by some cruel people.

 On the same night, a Brahmin belonging to the race of Sage Atri had a dream, where he saw a female who had serpents draped all over her body which frightened him, so later she appeared as a beautiful 16 year old girl and told him that she is Vishnu’s avatar Mahaalasa Narayani. And then he spoke to the villagers about it of Vernapoori and on the basis of sketch given by the Brahmin they constructed a temple which was well known in that time. As the years passed, during the Potuguese rule the temple was destroyed because of which all the devotees carried her idol to Ponda, Mardol. At this place a temple of Mahaalasa was established. And now it’s a popular place with tourists visiting from all over India. And in recent times the legendary temple of Maahalasa Narayani was rebuilt in Verna (old Mardol). Mardol and Verna now celebrates all the functions and festivals grandly such as Zatra, Shivratri, Shravan, Navratri, etc.

So this is what I have learnt about divine goddess Mahalasa Narayani. She wears a holy thread as she is a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu. This holy thread is worn by Brahmin men and male Gods.

Now this temple at Verna is built elegantly in grey and white shade with spacious area. Inside the temple you can worship idols of Shree Mahalasa Narayani, Shree Shanteri, Shree Ganesh, Naga devta and Shree Mahalakshmi. On enquiring, as temple is still under construction I found that many more idols are yet to be installed.  In front of it there is a lake which also has a history, Goddess Mahalasa, on pressing her toe on the dry land of Vernapoori created a spring for her devotees. Besides this there is a gold plated monument of Swami Vivekanand with a beautiful sayings “Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached”.

The temple also runs a school “Shree Mahalasa Narayani Primary School”. Where you can see little kids dressed up in yellow-maroon uniform.

 Do have a wonderful time at this mesmerizing place!!