Shri Mahalasa Narayani Temple Festival in Goa is observed in Magh month. The festival is observed for 7 days. The most important event during the festival is the jatra. Mardol Shri Mahalasa Narayani Temple Festival 2016 date is from February 26 to March 4.
The annual festival is observed from Magh Krishna Paksha Chaturthi to Magh Krishna Paksha Dasami – the fourth day during the waning phase of moon in Magh month to the tenth day during the waning phase of moon in magh month. The Rathostsava is observed on the last day of the festival.
About the Temple
The temple of Mahalsa Narayani is located at the small village of Mardol, just about a km from the famous Mangueshi temple and about 22 kms from Panaji, the capital city.
Originally, the deity was housed in a temple at an ancient shrine in village of Verna which is now the site of an industrial estate. Along with other Goan temples, this beautiful temple at Verna was also marked for destruction by the Portuguese around 1543. However, before the actual demolition could take place the idol of the deity was smuggled away across the river by faithful devotees, to the safer locale of Mardol, where it is located today.
The temple is located in peaceful environs at Mardol. The temple has huge wooden pillars and a silver framed doorway. In the courtyard, there is a magnificent brass samai (ornamental lamp pillar) which is 40 feet in height and has 21 rings of a hundred fifty small lamps. When it is lit up with oil wicks on the annual festival day or Jatra, it is a sight to behold.
(Source: Goa Tourism)