Mahamaya Kalika Saunsthan is a temple complex in Kansarpal village of Bicholim taluka in the state of Goa, India. The presiding deity of the temple is Kali worshipped in the form of Mahamaya. The goddess Kali, the terrible and cruel to the demons and evil doers, is worshiped with blood sacrifice in most parts of India, in Goa however the fierce invocation of the deity was never popular. As per the regional myths after killing the demons Sumbha and Nisumbha, the deity's anger was soothed and the deity manifested herself in a peaceful, gentle form, which is very popular in Goa.
History
The deity might have been worshiped by the copper-smiths of the village originally.The folk tradition believes that this temple might have been constructed during the Chandragupta Vikramaditya’s time. A Copper-plate or tambiapotto dated 1436 AD, which is in the possession of the Archaeology department of Goa, mentions among various other things the following: Kalamba seems to be another name of the deity though, the name Kalika appears in the copper-plate inscription mentioned above. During Goa Inquisition, when Goa was in turmoil, most of the people of Daivajna caste took refuge in the temple premises to elude conversion to Roman Catholicism and prosecution.
Iconography
The main idol in the sanctum sanctorum is more than 800 years old and is a masterpiece of Kadamba sculptures. The deity is four armed, shows each hand carrying variously a sword, a trident, a Shield and a skull bowl, her mount lion, can be seen at her feet.
Other affiliated deities
The temple Panchishta includes the following deities: Devi Panchayatana, Ravalnath, Hedgeshwar, Shetyeshwar, Palnath. A Buddhist idol of Shakyamuni is found in the temple, as a remnant of the Buddhist sect that prevailed in Goa till the early 12th century AD.
The temple is a masterpiece of Goan temple architecture, with a huge hall for public gatherings during festivals and meetings, the main hall inside the temple, path for circumambulation and Sanctum sanctorum, with a huge golden Kalasha. Temple is surrounded by Agrashalas, two beautiful gates and a magnificent lamp tower is eye-catching.
The devotees and patrons of the temple
The deity is believed to be patron deity of above said Gomantak Daivadnya Brahmin community of Goa. The patrons of the temples or the Mahajans are divided into four groups:Sashtikar,Bardeskar,Tiswadkar,Antrujkar.
Festivals
The Shishirotsav of Kasarpal temple attracts pilgrims from Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka. It is a 10-day-long celebration, includes procession of deities in different Vahanas, and various other rites like Ganga Pujan, Homa, Dhwajarohana, Gulalotsava, Rathotsava etc. An orchestra known as Suvari is played during the festival which includes musical instrumentsGhumot, Kasale, cymbals and Shehnai. Other important festivals are Ratha Saptami, Navaratri, Vasant Puja, Akshay Tritiya, Dasara,Avali Bhojan. Silver Palanquin procession of the deity on every Chaturdashi of the dark fortnight of Hindu lunar calendar is also a major attraction
Museum
It is the first temple in Goa to have a private museum on its own, titled as Kaalamba Sangrahaalaya. It has objects of ancient, medieval and the modern period. The museum has around 10 small galleries housing rare antiquities including stone sculptures, brass lamps, wooden and silver artifacts etc.
