Devanagari
Devanagari ( ; , , Sanskrit pronunciation: ), also called Nagari (),Kathleen Kuiper (2010), The Culture of India, New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, , page 83 is a left-to-right abugida (a type of segmental writing system), based on the ...
:श्री संस्थान महामाया कालिका ) is a temple complex in Kansarpal village of Bicholim taluka in the state of
Goa
Goa () is a state on the southwestern coast of India within the Konkan region, geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats. It is located between the Indian states of Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the ...
,
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
Kali
Kali (; sa, काली, ), also referred to as Mahakali, Bhadrakali, and Kalika ( sa, कालिका), is a Hindu goddess who is considered to be the goddess of ultimate power, time, destruction and change in Shaktism. In this tra ...
'' worshipped in the form of '' Mahamaya''. The goddess Kali, the terrible and cruel to the demons and evil doers, is worshiped with blood sacrifice in most parts of India, in Goa however the fierce invocation of the deity was never popular. As per the tradition, after slaying the demons
Madhu and Kaitabha
Madhu ( sa, मधु, ''Madhu'') and Kaitabha ( sa, कैटभ, ''Kaiṭabha''), also rendered Madhu-Kaiṭabhas, are the names of two asuras in Hindu scriptures, and are associated with Hindu cosmology.
Legend
Madhu and Kaitabha both o ...
, the deity's anger was soothed and the deity manifested herself in a peaceful (''Shanta''), gentle (''Soumya'') form, which is very popular in Goa.This form of Kali is also known as
Bhadrakali
Bhadrakali (IAST: Bhadrakālī; ), also known as Mahakali and Kali, is a Hindu goddess.
According to Shaktism, she is one of the fierce forms of the Supreme Goddess Shakti, or Adi Parashakti, mentioned in the Devi Mahatmyam. In Vaishnavi ...
or Kali who is gracious.
History
The folk tradition believes that this temple might have been constructed during the Chandragupta Vikramaditya’s time. A
Copper-plate
Etching is traditionally the process of using strong acid or mordant to cut into the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design in intaglio (incised) in the metal. In modern manufacturing, other chemicals may be used on other types ...
or ''tambiapotto'' (in Konkani) dated 1436 AD, which is in the possession of the Archaeology department of Goa, mentions among various other things the following:
''Kalamba'' seems to be another name of the deity though, the name ''Kalika'' appears in the copper-plate inscription mentioned above. During
Goa Inquisition
The Goa Inquisition ( pt, Inquisição de Goa) was an extension of the Portuguese Inquisition in Portuguese India. Its objective was to enforce Catholic Orthodoxy and allegiance to the Apostolic See of Rome (Pontifex). The inquisition primaril ...
, when Goa was in turmoil, most of the people of Daivajna caste took refuge in the temple premises to elude conversion to Roman Catholicism and prosecution.
Iconography
The main idol in the sanctum sanctorum is more than 800 years old and is a masterpiece of Kadamba sculptures. The deity is four armed, shows each hand carrying variously a sword (''Khadga''), a trident ('' trishul''), a Shield (''Khetaka'') and a skull bowl (''
Kapala
A kapala (Sanskrit for "skull") is a skull cup used as a ritual implement (bowl) in both Hindu Tantra and Buddhist Tantra (Vajrayana). Especially in Tibet, they are often carved or elaborately mounted with precious metals and jewels.
Etymo ...
''), her mount lion, can be seen at her feet.
Other affiliated deities
The temple Panchishta includes the following deities:
Devi Panchayatana (worshiped in the main sanctum sanctorum, includes Ganesha,Surya Shivalinga, Shaligrama etc.),
Ravalnath
Ravalnath ( knn, रवळनाथ, ), also widely known as Roulu, (रवळू, ) is a popular Hindu deity in Goa and the Sindhudurg district of coastal Maharashtra, in western India. Shrines of Ravalnath are also found in border areas of Be ...
, Hedgeshwar, Shetyeshwar, Palnath. A Buddhist idol of '' Shakyamuni'' is found in the temple, as a remnant of the Buddhist sect that prevailed in Goa till the early 12th century AD.
The temple architecture
The temple is a masterpiece of Goan temple architecture, with a huge hall for public gatherings during festivals and meetings (''Sabhamantapa'' a stage and a ''Nagarkhana'' which is above the stage is used to play drums and
shehnai
The ''shehnai'' is a musical instrument, originating from the Indian subcontinent. It is made of wood, with a double reed at one end and a metal or wooden flared bell at the other end.circumambulation
Circumambulation (from Latin ''circum'' around and ''ambulātus ''to walk) is the act of moving around a sacred object or idol.
Circumambulation of temples or deity images is an integral part of Hindu and Buddhist devotional practice (known in S ...
(''Sarwali'') and
Sanctum sanctorum
The Latin phrase ''sanctum sanctorum'' is a translation of the Hebrew term ''קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים'' (Qṓḏeš HaQŏḏāšîm), literally meaning Holy of Holies, which generally refers in Latin texts to the holiest place of th ...
(''Garbhakud'' or ''Garbhagruha''), with a huge golden
Kalasha
A kalasha, also spelled kalash or kalasa, also called ghat or ghot ( sa, कलश , Telugu: కలశము Kannada: ಕಳಶ literally "pitcher, pot"), is a metal (brass, copper, silver or gold) pot with a large base and small mouth, large eno ...
. Temple is surrounded by Agrashalas, two beautiful gates (''Praveshdwara''s) and a magnificent lamp tower (''Deepastambha'') is eye-catching.
The devotees and patrons of the temple
The deity is believed to be patron deity of above said Gomantak Daivadnya Brahmin community of Goa . The patrons of the temples or the
Mahajan Mahajan is an Indian surname.This is title for Vaishya Comunitiy. It signifies the profession of a moneylender or merchants,bankers and administrators.
In the caste system, Mahajan is a trader who belongs to the Vaishya varna and the last name ma ...
The '' Shishirotsav'' of Kasarpal temple attracts pilgrims from Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka. It is a 10-day-long celebration, includes procession of deities in different Vahanas, and various other rites like ''Ganga Pujan'', '' Homa'', ''Dhwajarohana'', '' Gulalotsava'', ''Rathotsava'' etc. An orchestra known as ''Suvari'' is played during the festival which includes musical instruments Ghumot, '' Kasale'',
cymbals
A cymbal is a common percussion instrument. Often used in pairs, cymbals consist of thin, normally round plates of various alloys. The majority of cymbals are of indefinite pitch, although small disc-shaped cymbals based on ancient designs soun ...
and
Shehnai
The ''shehnai'' is a musical instrument, originating from the Indian subcontinent. It is made of wood, with a double reed at one end and a metal or wooden flared bell at the other end.Ratha Saptami,
Navaratri
Navaratri is an annual Hindu festival observed in the honour of the goddess Durga. It spans over nine nights (and ten days), first in the month of Chaitra (March/April of the Gregorian calendar), and again in the month of Sharada. It is o ...
Akshay Tritiya
Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akti or Akha Teej, is an annual Hindu and Jain spring festival. It falls on the third ''tithi'' (lunar day) of the bright half (''Shukla Paksha'') of the month of Vaisakha. It is regionally observed as an auspicio ...
Palanquin
The litter is a class of wheelless vehicles, a type of human-powered transport, for the transport of people. Smaller litters may take the form of open chairs or beds carried by two or more carriers, some being enclosed for protection from the el ...
procession of the deity on every Chaturdashi of the dark fortnight of
Hindu lunar calendar
The Hindu calendar, Panchanga () or Panjika is one of various lunisolar calendars that are traditionally used in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, with further regional variations for social and Hindu religious purposes. They adopt a s ...
is also a major attraction
Museum
It is the first temple in Goa to have a private museum on its own, titled as ''Kaalika Sangrahaalaya''. It has objects of ancient, medieval and the modern period. The museum has around 10 small galleries housing rare antiquities including stone sculptures, brass lamps, wooden and silver artifacts etc.