Description
Shri Mangeshi temple is located at Mangeshi Village, Goa. The main temple is dedicated to Bhagavan Manguesh, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Bhagavan Mangesh is worshipped here as Shiva linga.
History
This temple had its origins in Kushasthali Cortalim, a village in Saxty (Salcette) which fell to the invading Portuguese in 1543. In the year 1560, when the Portuguese started Christian conversions in Salcete taluka, the Saraswats of Vatsa Gotra moved the Mangesh Linga from the original site to its present location at Mangeshi.
Importance/Significance
According to the legend, Lord Shiva had manifested into a tiger to scare his wife Parvati. Paravati, who was frightened at the sight of the tiger, went in search of Lord Shiva and cried out, "Trahi Mam girisha!" (Oh Lord of Mountains, save me!). Upon hearing the words, Lord Shiva turned himself back to his normal form. The words "Mam girisha" became associated with Lord Shiva and over time the words got abbreviated to Manguirisha or Manguesh.
Festivals/Events/Gatherings