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Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
 Like many of the other Hindu temples, this temple which was originally located in Portuguese controlled Sancoale, Salcete, also fell to the Inquisition in 1567. However, many of the artifacts from the original temple were smuggled across the Zuari river into Ponda which at that time was not under Portuguese rule. The temple was constructed in the 1700's. In the picture to the right, we see the temple water tank which is fed by a fresh water stream from a spring located on the hillsides. Goan Hindus believe Lakshmi Narasimha to be a half man, half lion form of Vishnu. The story behind this is that the a local being had obtained from God Bramha immunity from attack from "man or beast". This person then began abusing his powers and began forcing others to worship him, as if he were a God. Among those abused was his own son, a staunch worshiper of Vishnu. In order to surmount Bramha's condition, Vishnu assumed a form that was neither man nor beast, but a combination of both, and then went on to finish off this person! This pictures and anecdotal information were obtained from the book "Window on Goa" by Maurice Hall (Quiller Press, London, 1992, 214 p.). It is an excellent book containing a wealth of information and pictures on Goa. You can buy it online from http://www.amazon.com/. For 18 bucks ($ US), this book is a steal! |