AFFILIATE DEITIES
Panchayatana puja– a concept of worshipping God in any of the five forms, namely Aaditya(Surya), Gananatha (Mahaganapati), Devi(Shantagurga, Mahalaxmi), Rudra (Shiva), Keshava(Vishnu)-- was propagated by AdiShankaracharya.
Many Goan temples are devoted to the worship of Panchayatana. In addition to the Panchayatana deities, many temples in Goa also revere guardian deities Grampurusha, Kshetrapala, Ravalnath etc.Local Goans worship the main village deity as well as the affiliate deities and obtain their blessings during festivals and after auspicious occasions such as weddings.Each of the local Gods represents one of the greater Gods like Shiva, Lakshmi, Kali and Vishnu in many different forms familiar to the locals and under different names.
The affiliate deities in Rivona are ShriRavalnath, ShriMahalakshmi, Shri Kamaleshwara, ShriMaruti, GramPurush, Kshetrapal and Gaud Purush.
ShriRavalnath
ShriRavalnath is a form of Kalbhairava and found in Panchayatana of almost all Goan temples. Standalone temples devoted to ShriRavalnath are common in Goa.In addition, many Goan temples, Shaivite and Vaishnavite, feature ShriRavalnath as a parivardevata (subsidiary deity).
ShriRavalnathis considered as a Shivagana. The Ganas (Devanagari: गण) are attendants of Shiva. They are often invoked to intercede with the lord on behalf of the devotee. The ShriRavalnath temple in Rivona stands facing the Vimleshwara temple.NavarathtriUtsav is celebratedin the premises of the temple. NavasaPoojasare also important in the temple.
Shri Mahalakshmi
ShriMahalakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity(both material and spiritual), and good fortune.She is the embodiment of spiritual feminine energy or one of main forms of AdiShakti who purifies, empowers and uplifts the individual. The ShriMahalakshmi temple in Rivona is located near the ShriRavalnath temple. The murti of the goddess in the temple is made of Krishnashila -- arare variety of stone specifically used to make sacred idols as per Vedic traditions. It is said that deity murtis made of this stone emit very positive and creative energy.
Every Friday, bhajans (devotional songs) are performed by devotees in the temple premises.NavarathriUtsavand Diwali are celebrated with great fanfare in the temple. The Vimleshwara Devasthancosponsors a five day Utsav in the Mahalakshmi temple in the month of Ashwin which include Lakshmi pooja celebrations.
Shri Kamaleshwara
Another affiliate deity in Rivona is Lord Kamaleshwara. During annual Utsavcelebrations, a Satyanarayanpooja is performed in this temple.
Shri Maruti
Lord Maruti is considered to be an avatar (incarnation) of Lord Shiva. He is worshipped as a symbol of strength and selflessness.Hanuman perfectly exemplifies bhakti(devotion), as evident from his unflinching duty to Lord Rama. A small shrine devoted to Lord Maruti is found within the premises of Shri Vimleshwara Devasthan.
Gram Purush
Gram Purushor Gramadevatais the god of the village or town.People worship the presiding deity of their village or city of residence as their Gramadevata. Every village has a Gramadevata, to whom the villagers are passionately devoted. Once a year a festival is held in honor of the Gramadevata in which all the villagers take part.
Kshetrapal
Kshetrapal refers to the local guardian deity. Every year in the month of Margashirsha on the day ofAmavasya, local villagers gather for celebrations at the temple and perform pooja, aarti,naivadya etc.
Gaud Purush
Another affiliate deity in Rivona is Gaud Purush. The idol of the Gaud Purush deity is a part of a larger collection of idols which are stored in the temple premises.
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