Mahalaxmi Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Mopa Airport, a recently developed airport, is about 40 km from Panaji.

• By road

  The KTC Bus Stand in Patto is Panaji's central bus stand for Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) buses and other buses.

Why devotees come here

Mahalaxmi Temple stands on Dada Vaidya Road in Panaji, the capital of Goa. The deity is the chief object of veneration for all Panaji residents. The present temple was completed in 1819, after the deity was brought to Panaji from Mayem.

Mahalaxmi is the deity of Panaji, and her temple stands on Dada Vaidya Road. The road was called Rua de Saudade in Portuguese times. The story goes that in the 16th century, Havig Brahmins from the Karwar and Kumtha areas lived on alms and charity from others. Wherever they went in search of alms, they carried the marble idol of Mahalaxmi with them. They feared the idol would be desecrated under the Portuguese conversion policy, so they moved away from Taleigao.

In 1817, a Panaji man named Narayan Kamat Mhamai dreamt of the deity. The next day he went with others to Mayem and brought the deity to Panaji. The deity was consecrated and the foundation stone of the temple was laid on 10 July 1818. By 1819, the temple was completed.

The original deity now lies in a small box in the rear wall of the temple. It faces the present main idol of Mahalaxmi. A subhamandap, a front hall, was added to the temple later. A recently completed new building now stands in the temple complex.

Tips for your visit

• The Jama Masjid and the Church of the Immaculate Conception are on the same road as the temple.
• The original deity is in a small box in the rear wall, facing the main idol.

Questions people ask