TEMPLES IN GOA
Mahalaxmi Temple
4kms. from Ponda.
Situated in the village of Bandode. It is considered the abode of the original
Goddess of the Shakti cult. The Sabhamandap has a gallery of 18 images, out
of 24 images of emanatory aspects of Bhagvata sect, which is considered one
of the few galleries of wooden images of Vishnu in India.
The image of Mahalakshmi has a close resemblance to that of Mahalakshmi at Kolhapur,
the main centre of worship. Her special feature is that she wears a linga on
her head and is considered a peaceful or Satvik form of the Devi. The Goddess
Mahalakshmi was worshipped by the Shilahara rulers (750-1030 A. D.) and the
early Kadamba Kings of Goa.
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