Bodgeshwar Devasthan

Bodgini, Mapusa, Dist. North Goa

Goa, with its beautiful beaches, hills, valleys, rivers, and forts, is a world-renowned tourist destination. This small state in India is equally significant from a cultural and religious perspective. Many temples in Goa are famous, such as the Saptakoteshwar Temple in Narve, the Maruti Temple in Panaji, the Shantadurga Temple in Ponda, the Mangeshi Temple in Mardol, the Brahma Temple in Valpoi, and the Nagesh Temple in Bandivade. In this same Goa, the ancient temple of Bodgeshwar in the city of Mapusa is famous. Devotees believe that the awakened deity here grants wishes and rushes to answer their call.

It is said that this shrine is approximately seven to eight hundred years old. In ancient times, the land here was marshy. There was a dense forest of Kewda on this land. In the Konkani language, Kewda is called Bodge. Therefore, this place was named Bodgini and the guardian deity here was named Bodgeshwar. Herdsmen who brought their cattle to this area would light a lamp and pray to this guardian deity for protection from wild beasts and evil spirits. Later, in the year 1934, the temple of Bodgeshwar was built at this very spot. Devotees and villagers believe that every night, the deity walks around the area holding a torch and a staff to protect his devotees.

This temple is located in the village of Bodgini on the Panaji-Mapusa road. There is a welcome arch for the temple on the road. On the balcony of the arch, there is a central canopy with an elephant-back shaped roof supported by six small pillars, and atop the roof of the canopy, there is a spire featuring a replica of a torch in the center. There are finials on both sides of the spire. On the balcony, on both sides of the canopy, there are sculptures of Nandi, and in the smaller canopies beside them, there are Shiva Lingas. There is a spacious parking area in front of the temple. In the courtyard covered with paver blocks, there stands an eight-tiered hexagonal lamp tower in the shape of a lotus flower on a large platform. Each tier of the lamp tower has six lamp niches. At the top of the lamp tower, there is a spire and a finial above it. There is a Tulsi Vrindavan in the spacious courtyard of the temple. The sacred footprints of Bodgeshwar are placed on a glass-enclosed pedestal in the courtyard. There are Banyan and Audumbar trees on two sides of the temple. The temple is elevated above the courtyard, and there is a nine-stepped platform on all three sides of the temple. The temple structure consists of three entrance porches in three directions, a main assembly hall, an intermediate chamber, and the sanctum sanctorum. There are twelve steps in front of each of the three entrance porches. In the entrance porches, there are lion sculptures on the front side and two ornate pillars. There is a beam resting on these pillars, and a roof above the beam. The rear side of the roof is supported by the pillars in the assembly hall. The assembly hall is fully open. In the assembly hall, there are four rows of six pillars each. All the pillars stand on square bases. Sculptures of various deities and other intricate carvings are depicted on the shafts of the pillars. There are sculptures of the Ashtavinayaka on the two pillars near the entrance.

Brass bells are hung from the ceiling of the assembly hall. In the center of the assembly hall is the sanctum sanctorum. Inside the sanctum, on a Vajra-pitha (diamond pedestal), stands the full-length idol of Bodgeshwar. The deity holds a Ghungur-kathi (bell-staff) in his right hand and a torch in his left, wears a turban on his head, footwear on his feet, a coarse wool blanket (Ghongadi) on his shoulder, and a dhoti tucked at the waist. The idol is placed within a silver arch (Makhar). On both sides of this arch, there are Padmasundari sculptures on the pillars. Above the pillars of the arch is a peacock archway (Mayur Toran). In the center of the archway is a Kirtimukh, and on both sides are floral and leaf designs. There is a circumambulation path around the exterior of the sanctum sanctorum. Behind the idol of Bodgeshwar stands an ancient tree. There are protective walls built around the tree. In the assembly hall, behind the sanctum, there are five idols of Satyanarayan placed in five arches. Devotees can perform the Satyanarayan Mahapuja here. On the tiled roof of the temple, there are Garuda sculptures at all four corners. There are Kirtimukhs on the spires of the entrance porch. The roof of the sanctum features a square-shaped spire with smaller spires on all four corners. In the center of the spire, there is a replica of a torch.

The annual fair (Jatrotsav) of Bodgeshwar is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the month of January. During this time, thousands of devotees from the surrounding areas come to seek the blessings of the deity and fulfill their vows. Offerings and rituals are performed to the deity according to individual family traditions. On the occasion of the fair, programs such as Bhajans, Kirtans, music, discourses, dance, singing, and Mahaprasad are organized in the temple. Apart from this, many other festivals and celebrations are held in the temple throughout the year. Every Wednesday and Sunday, thousands of devotees from various cities in Goa come here for the Darshan of Bodgeshwar. On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, devotees can have Darshan of Bodgeshwar from 8 in the morning to 9.30 at night. On Wednesday and Sunday, this timing is from 8 in the morning to 10.30 at night.

Useful Information:

• 1 km away from Mapusa bus stand
• State transport bus facility available to Mapusa from many cities in the state
• Private vehicles can reach the temple
• There are many options for accommodation and breakfast in the premises
• Contact: Temple Office, Telephone: 0832 2494204