Shri Betal temple (बेताळ) is a
Hindu temple
A Hindu temple, or ''mandir'' or ''koil'' in Indian languages, is a house, seat and body of divinity for Hindus. It is a structure designed to bring human beings and gods together through worship, sacrifice, and devotion.; Quote: "The Hi ...
in
Amona village in the
Bicholim taluk
Bicholim is an administrative region of Goa, 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 demo ...
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 th ...
,
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 ...
. The presiding
deity is
Betal
Betal or Vetal ( Konkani: वेताळ), a Bhairava form of Shiva is a popular god in Goa, Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra and Karwar of Karnataka in India. Betal is also known as Vetoba in the Konkan area of Maharashtra and Goa, and in ...
who is worshiped as a
Bhairava
Bhairava (Sanskrit: भैरव ) or Kala Bhairava is a Shaivite and Vajrayāna deity worshiped by Hindus and Buddhists. In Shaivism, he is a powerful manifestation, or avatar, of Shiva associated with annihilation. In Trika system ''Bhai ...
form of
Shiva
Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hin ...
in the form of a warrior; normally the idol of Shree Betal is standing in the temple, but during festivals his idol is displayed on a horse back in the village. He is the ''Gram devata'' (village lord) of Amona.
There is a temple of Shri Betal in a village named as "Gorli" in Pauri Gharwal district of Uttrakhand. Betal is also the village's
gramadevata (village deity). This temple also has a
Shiva Pindi and its
gana
The word (; Sanskrit: गण) in Sanskrit and Pali means "flock, troop, multitude, number, tribe, category, series, or class". It can also be used to refer to a "body of attendants" and can refer to "a company, any assemblage or association of ...
.
The temple's construction prior to 1950 was funded by the Late Shri. Vithal Jagannath Telang and his name has been carved on the flooring accordingly. There is a water well 50 metres away from main temple.
Deity
The temple is dedicated to Purvas Vetal, the warrior god. The deity is also called 'Betal' colloquially.
Betal
Betal or Vetal ( Konkani: वेताळ), a Bhairava form of Shiva is a popular god in Goa, Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra and Karwar of Karnataka in India. Betal is also known as Vetoba in the Konkan area of Maharashtra and Goa, and in ...
is a deity of the indigenous Hindu people of India. Betal the
Bhairava
Bhairava (Sanskrit: भैरव ) or Kala Bhairava is a Shaivite and Vajrayāna deity worshiped by Hindus and Buddhists. In Shaivism, he is a powerful manifestation, or avatar, of Shiva associated with annihilation. In Trika system ''Bhai ...
god of the roaring storm, is usually portrayed as a fierce, destructive deity. Many stories and folklore about the valor and wisdom of Vetala are passed down through generations of local people who worshiped this deity.
History
The original temple was located in
Amona at the same place, but later reconstructed from time to time through jeernoddhara (continual maintenance). The temple is believed to be centuries old. Prayers at the temple is offered by the family of Boyini Betaiah, which is derived from the name of the god, along with his six cousins. Priesthood of the temple is bestowed to the family for generations and continues to the present day.
Devotees
The deity is believed to be patron deity of 96 Kulee
Maratha
The Marathi people (Marathi: मराठी लोक) or Marathis are an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group who are indigenous to Maharashtra in western India. They natively speak Marathi, an Indo-Aryan language. Maharashtra was formed as a ...
,
Kalavants,
Goud Saraswat Brahmin
Gaud Saraswat Brahmins (GSB) (also Goud or Gawd) are a Hindu Brahmin community of the north. The Konkani speaking Gaud Saraswat of Goa and southern India claim to be descendents of these Gaud Saraswat Brahmins of the north that migrated to ...
,
Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins and
Daivadnya Brahmin community spread all over India. Familiar surnames of the devotees are Sinari, Gawas, Fadate, Salgaonkar, Dhond, Shet, Palankar, Parab etc.
See also
*
Temples of Goa
A Goan temple is known as a ''dēvūḷ'' (देवूळ) or ''sansthān'' (संस्थान) in the Konkani language. These temples were once the centres of villages, cities, and all the other social, cultural and economic gatherings in ...
*
Mangeshi Village
Mangueshi is a village in Priol, Ponda, Goa, India. Mangueshi/Mangueshim are other variations for the same name.
Main Attraction
The temple of Shri Mangesh is set amidst natural surroundings. Mangeshi, which is a little village along Go ...
*
Shantadurga Kalangutkarin Temple
Shri Shantadurga (Kalangutkarin) Devasthan Nanora is a Hindu temple in Nanoda village, Bicholim taluka in Goa. The goddess Shantadurga is worshiped in the form of Vishweshwari.
History
The original temple was located in Calangute near Map ...
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shanta Durga Temple
Shiva temples in Goa
Hindu temples in North Goa district