Shri Mangueshi Temple

Shri Mangueshi Temple at Priol in Ponda taluka is one of the largest and most visited Hindu temples in Goa. It is dedicated to Mangueshi, a form of Lord Shiva, and is the family deity of many Gaud Saraswat Brahmin families. The deity was originally worshipped at Kortalim, near the Zuari River, and was moved inland to its present site in the 16th century to escape Portuguese religious persecution. The temple as it stands today largely dates from the 18th century. Its architecture blends Hindu temple forms with Portuguese and Islamic influences, including a domed roof and chandeliers. A tall white seven-storey lamp tower, or deepastambha, stands in the courtyard and is lit during festivals. A large temple tank sits beside the complex. The Mangeshkar family of singers, including Lata Mangeshkar, took their surname from this village. It is worth the trip as the finest example of Goa's distinctive temple architecture.