Mhalsa

Mhalsa (Marathi: म्हाळसा, IAST: Mhāḷasā), also spelled as Mhalasa or Mahalasa, is a Hindu goddess. Mhalsa is worshipped as the consort of the folk god Khandoba, a form of the god Shiva. In this tradition, she is associated with Parvati, Shiva's wife.

Mhalsa
Khandoba and Mhalsa killing demons Mani-Malla — a popular oleograph, c.1880.
Devanagariम्हाळसा
Sanskrit transliterationMhāḷasā
WeaponTrishula
ConsortKhandoba

Mhalsa's chief temples is at Mardol in Mardol, Goa in the form of Mahalasa Narayani. She is worshipped as the Kuladevi (family goddess) of different castes and communities in the region.

Iconography

In the Mahalasa Narayani form, Mahalasa has four hands, carrying a trishula, a sword, a severed head, and a drinking bowl. She also wears the yajnopavita (sacred thread), which is generally dedicated to male deities. She stands on a prostrate man or demon, as a tiger or lion licks blood dripping from the severed head. Goud Saraswat Brahmins and Daivajnya Brahmins as well as Vaishnavas from Goa and South Canara identify her with Mohini and call her Narayani and Rahu-matthani, the slayer of Rahu, as told in the Bhavishya Purana.[1]

Mhalsa is often depicted with two arms and accompanying Khandoba on his horse or standing beside him.

Legends


According to legend, Mhalsa is considered to be a form of Shiva's wife, Parvati. As per this legend, Mhalsa was born as the daughter of a rich Lingayat merchant called Timmaseth.[2] On the divine orders of Khandoba in a dream to her father, Mhalsa was married to Khandoba on Pausha Pournima (the full moon day of the Hindu calendar month of Pausha) in Pali (Pembar). Two shiva lingams appeared on this occasion. An annual festival marking this event is celebrated in Pali every Pausha Pournima.

Worship
Mardol Temple in Goa

Mahalasa/Mhalsa is worshipped as an independent goddess or gramadevata (village guardian deity). Her chief temples stand in Mardol in Goa.[2][3] Her temples also exist in the states of Karnataka, Kerala, and Gujarat.[4] She is the Kuldevi (family goddess) of many Hindus from western and southern India, including Goud Saraswat Brahmins, Karhade Brahmins, Daivajna Brahmins, Bhandaris and Shimpi caste.

In recent years, due to the increased popularity of the goddess, new temples have been established in Verna, Karwar, Kumta, Mudgeri, Kundapura, Basruru, Shirva, Mangaluru, Kasargod, Harikhandige, Malpe and other areas mostly along coastal Karnataka. One temple is also located in Madangeri, a small town near to Gokarna.

Mhalsa is also worshipped as the consort of Khandoba.[2] She is worshipped with Khandoba in all centres of Khandoba's worship, including Jejuri.

References
  1. V. P. Chavan (1991). Vaishnavism of the Gowd Saraswat Brahmins and a few Konkani folklore tales. Asian Educational Services. pp. 26–7. ISBN 978-81-206-0645-6.
  2. Harsha V. Dehejia (1 January 1999). Parvati: Goddess of Love. Mapin Publishing Pvt Ltd. pp. 36–7. ISBN 978-81-85822-59-4.
  3. Dhere, R C. "Chapter 2: MHAALSA". Summary of Book "FOLK GOD OF THE SOUTH: KHANDOBA". R C Dhere. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
  4. NT Network (11 February 2010). "Music concert to be held at Mardol". Navhind Times. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
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