Gaj Lakshmi Mandir/Shri Gajantlaxmi Temple Marcel,Goa

Shri Gajantlaxmi- Kuldevi of Daivdayna Brahmin located in Marcel Goa.

This temple is just opposite Lakshmi ravalnath temple, besides the parking ground. It has golden coloured deity flanked by two elephants carved out of black stone. It sits on a silver coloured throne. Very simple and nice temple.

The sculpture of Gajantlakshmi is a symbol of creation. The Lakshmi seated on a full blossomed lotus, and holding lotuses or a sheaf of grains in her hands represents ,mother earth and the natural wealth, who is also called ‘’Bhudevi’’.Gajantlakshmi is always attended by two water-showering elephants on her either side. The showering of goddess Sri Lakshmi by cloud like elephants with celestial waters are symbolically related to the dark clouds which send down the fertilizing rains. The murti of the Goddess is inside Garbha Gruha of the temple is also depicted holding ‘’Bilva’’(‘’bel’’ in Konkani and Marathi)fruits in her lower hands.Bilva tree is considered as a symbol of prosperity since ancient times and hence is believed to have born out of Lakshmi.Associtaion of Lakshmi and Bilva is also mention in Sri Sukta of Rigveda. On her either side are two attendants holding ‘’Chamara’’(Chavri in Marathi and Konkani) or fly-whisk which is associated with material wealth.

In the year 1541 the Portuguese king ordered demolition and destruction of all Hindu shrines on the island of Tiswadi,and orders were issued to eradicate Hinduism.The temples of Chorao including that of Gajant Lakshmi was demolished between 1541 to 1546.But the Mahajanas had already transferred the deities to the neighboring village of Vargaon, Bicholim. When the orders were issued which was controlled by the Sawant Bhonsle kings.Nothing is known about the period in which deities existed in Vargaon, Bicholim.In the year 1781, the province of Bicholim(Bhatagrama) was conquered by the Portuguese from the Bhonsles.The deities were then taken to Machala(modern Mashel,Marcela) by the Mahajanas and Kulavis along with all other deities of Chorao island that were transferred to Vargaon, Bicholim in 16th century. The deities were installed in a small shelter at Marcela in a place called ‘’Deulvaddo’’.A small laterite temple was then built by the Mahajanas in the early 19th century.