History of Mangeshi Temple

Shri Parashurama brought Vatsa and Kaundinya gotriya Saraswat Brahmins to Gomantaka (Goa) for performing yagnya. He donated the Kushashthali area (current Kutthali or Cortalim) to these Brahmins. Hence an ancient Mangesh temple existed at Kushashthali. After Portuguese conquest of this area, many ancient temples were destroyed. In the year 1560, one night the Mangesh devotees migrated Sri Mangesh in palanquin to safer area. They had a vision to stop when they could no longer bear the weight of the palanquin. The palanquin stopped at village Priyol. Shri Mangesh was established there.

In the year 1740, Sardar Ramchandra Malhar Sukhtankar, an advisor to Nana Saheb Peshwe, arranged for a big estate of Raje Soundekar for Shri Mangesh. He also donated his own property. Peshwe granted the revenue from land in Ponde, Sange and Kepe talukas for Shri Mangesh. In the year 1744 other mahajans also gave assistance for constructing the temple for Shri Mangesh (Gaud Saraswat Parichaya Granth).

Shri Mangesh is the family deity for 329 surnames of about total 1000 surnames of Saraswat Brahmins.

We have covered only 23 Vatsa Gotra Surnames of total 111. We hope that this tree gives us strength to build the cooperative bondage; for that will be useful for our bright future.

--
By Madhusudan Kekre

Further Reading (External Links)

1. History of Mangeshi on Temple Website
2. Details on Mangeshi Temple at Rajan Parrikar's Blog