Thread by @BesuraTaansane

#Thread #Mahashivaratri:

Shree Mangeshi Devasthana in Goa-one of the most beautiful & pristine Mahadeva Mandirs in India & Kuladaivata of thousands of Gaud Saraswat Brahmins where Shiva looks absolutely resplendent as the Lord of the Universe in his Golden Vigraha
#HarHarMahadev

2)The Sahyadri Khanda of Skandapurana refers to the sacred river Aghnanashini (Maha Papanaashini) at Kushasthali (Goa) as the Adhya Sthan of Shree Mangesh who along with Maa Parvati prefered to stay in Goa forever after their reunion

3)Goa/Gomantak/Gomanchal is a Punyabhumi created by Shree Parashurama by shooting arrows in the sea and asking it to retreat to d point where d arrows landed-This is called Parshuram Kshetra/Sapta Konkan & extends fm Bharuch to Kerala with the central part Goa called Maha-Saptam

4)After creating Sapta-Konkan-Parshurama brought 66 family groups fm 10 Gotras of Saraswat Brahmins to help him perform the Yagnas & impressed with their profound knowledge he rewarded them with 96 villages-Saraswat Brahmins are descendents of Rishi Sarswat-son of Rishi Dadichi

5)The route of immigration is traced fm rites which GSBs perform by starting with “Jambudwipe Bharatavarshe Shree Parshurama Kshetre Sahyavarte Naimisharanye Dandkaranye Gautamashrame Gadavariaha Dakshine teere” (This is to show that the idea of Ahkanda Bharata existed even then)

6)Vatsa & Kaundinya Gotra families built the Shree Mangesh Temple at Kushasthali-Dev Sharma who is the Gram Purusha at the Devasthan discovered the Shiva Linga in Aghnanashini river after Shree Mangesh himself told him about the exact location-This spot called the Kapil Teertha

7)In the 1500s the Portuguese carried out the brutal inquisition of Goa & several temples were desecrated & GSBs were killed & tortured-anticipating imminent danger the Vatsa Gotri GSBs carried the Shiva Lingam from Kushasthali to Priol thru mountains forests & gushing waters

8)A shed wt palm leaves was initially built in 1560 & finally a new wooden Mandir was built in 1746(The wooden pillars are still beautifully preserved today) & then onwards it has been renovated on a couple of occasions & now is one of the most beautiful temple complexes in India

9)The Shree Mangesh Devasthan is beautiful complex with a magnificent pillar (called Khaamb) that is lit up with deepas-It is designed in 5 parts :The innermost Garbhagriha surrounded by the Ardhamandap-consisitng of 2 circular aisles(inner aisle for parikrama)

10) The Sabhamandap where all the bhaktas are seated during Aarti & can take darshan of Shree Mangesh & then you have the Mukhmandap which is the main entry to the Mandir

11)Poojas performed r Abhishekas Laghurudras & Maharudras & every Monday night is the Palkhi & Maha Aarti from 10-10.30 pm-Other Utsavas such as #Mahashivaratri Dassara Navratri Maghi Purnima during which there is a magnificent Rathotsava in which several GSBs from🌍 participate

12)The Mandir complex also houses the other Devis and Devatas: Ganapati Bhagwati LaxmiNarayan SuryaNarayan Garud Veerbhadra Santeri Mulkeshwar Kaundinya Purusha Gram Purusha KaalaBhairava Vitthal Rakhumai Nandikeshwar

13)A unique practice that also forms the very core of my personal astitva is that of taking “Kaul” or(guidance)of Shree Mangesh on key decisions/matters of life/work etc This is a very jaagrut sthana & his decisions r conveyed thru the Gram Purusha Vigraha placed facing the Linga

14)Petals & buds dipped in little water are applied to the body & Prabhaval of the Vigraha & depending on which petal/bud falls the guidance is interpreted appropriately according to set guidelines-I have seen myself-sometimes buds dont fall for hours & Kaul is taken another day

15)There is no bar of caste creed faith for Kaul & many a time local Xtians come to take kaul

The Mandir is at a slight height & I can say from experience its a different world the moment u enter the complex-its as though Vayu deva sings a different tune in the Devasthan complex

16)Its my favorite place in the whole wide world where I can sit in complete dhyan free from all the worries-just me & my Shambho Mahadeva : Shree Mangirish or Mangesh
#HarHarMahadev

(Credits for entire information : A Guide For Shree Manguesh Mahajan by C V Shenvi Dhume)