Not far from the capital of the most popular resort of India - Goa, in the small village of Priol is located one of the largest and most visited temples in the entire state - Mangesh Temple.

The temple was erected in honor of the Hindu God Mangesh - one of the incarnations of Lord Shiva, who is also called Sahib, or God Goa. It is believed that the main shrine of the temple - Ling Mangesh - Stone-repository of the divine essence, was consecrated by Brahma.

The temple is a work of art. Its main attractions are a remarkable seven-story tower standing at the gate, and the graceful columns, which gained fame around the most beautiful state of Goa. The oldest part of the 400-year-old temple complex is a small pond near the main building. The main hall of the temple, which is famous for its stunning chandeliers of the XIX century, accommodates about 500 people at a time.

The temple traditionally several times a day are conducted puja - a kind of sacrifice to the gods: the morning puja - Abhishek, Laghurudra and Maharudra, and evening - the Maha Aarti, also one night puja - Panchopchar. Every week on Mondays at the church held a small festival where the main idol is carried out of the building of the temple and carried through the streets, accompanying the procession with music.

Despite the huge popularity, or perhaps because of it, more recently, the temple closed its doors for foreign tourists. The reason "administration" of the temple called the unseemly clothes and no less inappropriate behavior of foreign visitors.