Maruti Temple

Among ‘The Latin Quarters of the city’, in the Fontainhas, you can see a beauteous Temple of Maruti located in Mala area at Altinho hillock. This Temple was inaugurated on 25^th January 1934, during Portuguese rule.

 I must say it’s an ideal location, with tangerine-white coloured combination of Temple and pleasing greenery surrounding it as background is really soothing. At night, when it’s lit up, it shines bright like stars on the hill top when you look at it from distance which urges you to go at this mesmerizing place.

                         

To reach this place you can go by stairs from Mala which is a good healthy walk, of 200 steps up to the Temple at Altinho. If not, you can also visit by road.

As you enter through main entrance you will be able to see Lord Hanuman idol in pitch black colour brilliantly polished. On Saturdays, you can see this idol smeared in saffron coloured powder known as ‘Sindur’ along with Mustard oil and flowers offered by devotees. This auspicious occasion is performed on Saturdays cause it’s believed that Lord Hanuman had saved Shani Dev(Saturn) from Raavana in return of which Shani Dev promised him that, those who prayed Lord Hanuman on his(Shani dev) day(Saturday) would be rescued from painful effects of Saturn. Use of ‘Sindur’ symbolizes Lord Hanuman’s devotion for Lord Rama as he had seen Sita Mata apply it for long life of Lord Rama. And Mustard oil is poured as a story goes that while Lord Hanuman was meditating, offering his prayers to Lord Rama, Shani Dev force Lord Hanuman to fight (as they both had great powers) with him. Irritated by this Lord Hanuman coiled his tail around Shani Dev tightening the grip he banged him against stones. As he started bleeding, Shain Dev requested Lord Hanuman to release him for which Lord Hanuman asked him not to interfere in the devotees of those who devoted him and Lord Rama. And to free Shani Dev from his pain he gave him Mustard oil.

When you kneel down in front of black idol of Lord Hanuman you can see pearl like idol of Lord Hanuman through openings in the wall. This idol is placed in the upper half of this Temple which you can visit from stairs on left/right. This Temple has been carved out amazingly. Sitting here for a while gives peace to your mind. The place is quite and calming. You can relax here and forget all your worries. From top you can have a magnificent view of Panajim city.

In the month of February, thousands of devotees come here to celebrate Maruti Zatra. Many stalls are put up along the roadside of Mala for around a week. You can buy from here variety of foods, clothes, accessories, toys, home decoratives and lots more.

Shloka:

Manojavam Maarut tulya vegm

               Jitendriyam budhimatam varishtam|

Vaataatmajam Vaanarayootha mukhyam

             Sri Rama dootam s’irsa namami||

Translation:

The God who is as swift as thoughts and equal to the speed of Wind-God, who always keeps his sense organs in control and the foremost among the intelligentsia. To that Wind-God’s great son, the leader of an army of the monkeys and Lord Rama’s messenger, I bow my head reverently to you.

Jai Hanuman!