It was the first Hindu temple allowed to be built by the Portuguese in Goa after 300 years after bitter opposition.It was approved by the Portuguese authorities in 1818 after a long delay and built subsequently on contributions made by the devotees
Shrine’s History
This 182-year-old temple has a fascinating history. In the 16th century, the Having Brahmins from Karwar-Kumtha areas who lived on alms and charity of others worshipped the Mahalaxmi deity and wherever they went in search of alms they carried this deity along. In the 16th century, they moved to Goa along with this deity and reached Taleigo village of which Panjim was then a mere ward, along with the river Gomati .
The Havig Brahmins whose whole day was spent begging for alms had sought shelter in the precincts of the Vetal temple of Taleigao. But when they learnt of the conversion policy of the Portuguese, fearing desecration of their revered Mahalaxmi idol made of marble, they moved away from Taleigao and as they were moving on they found a horse stable which actually belonged to the Portuguese government. A gentleman called Raghavendra Kamat Mhamai who worked for the Portuguese military found that this place selected by the Havig Brahmins to hide their deity was unsafe and hence moved it to his palatial house opposite the Adilshahi palace in the heart of Panjim city. Still fearing for the safety and security of the deity, he moved it to Mayem village of the Bicholim Taluka where it remained till 1817. Sometime later in 1817, Narayan Kamat Mhamai of Panaji dreamt of the deity and the next day itself he along with others went to Mayem and brought the deity to Panjim and hid it at a place where stands the People’s High School today.
That corner at the People’s High School is still venerated where the deity was kept hidden. He later moved it to his house and started worshipping it there. He expressed his desire to a friend Mr Sinari of building a temple to consecrate this deity. They sought the permission of the liberal Portuguese governor Conde De Rio Pardo, which was granted to them on 2nd July 1818. On 10 July 1818, the deity was consecrated there and the foundation stone of the Mahalaxmi temple was laid.
Refusing to be cowed down by the heavy monsoon downpours of Goa, the pious devotees led by the late Shri Narayan Kumar Mhamai, Mr Sinari and others consecrated the Mahalaxmi deity in the backyard of Panjim city on 10 July 1818. By 1819, the temple was completed. The original deity today lies in a small box in the rear wall of the temple which faces the present day main idol of Goddess Mahalaxmi. The magnificent subhamandap of the temple has been added later and today the recently completed new building of the temple stands proudly as a superb addition to the landmarks of Panjim city.
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
The deity is Goddess Mahalakshmi, made of black stone, with four hands and is placed in a silver canopy.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Bus services are available to travel to Panjim from all parts of India. Panjim has a well-connected transportation system. Lone travellers and backpackers prefer to go for a Panjim visit by bus. The Kadamba Bus Terminal is located near to the city which is one of the busiest bus stations in the city. Details on Panjim trip by bus are easily available via HolidayIQ. Private buses offer daily services for the travel to and from the city.
By Rail
The Margao railway station is the nearest railway station and is located 39 kilometres from Panjim city.
By Air
The nearest airport is located at Dabolim.
Shrine Timings
8 AM to 8:30 PM
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Navaratri and Chaitra Purnima
