Mahajans
The 12 Vangadi of Shantadurga Kunkallikarin Temple
The spiritual legacy of Shantadurga Kunkallikarin Temple, rests upon the strong foundation of 12 ancient Kshatriya families known as the Vangadi (वांगडी) or Bara Gavkar (बारा गावकर). These families are the Mahajans (म्हाजन) of the temple and have historically been entrusted with the sacred duty of preserving the temple’s traditions, worship, and governance
Origin and Structure
These twelve Wangkadi were traditionally referred to with the titles Naik Desai, titles which were derived from their association with the military systems of earlier dynasties. In ancient Time These 12 Wangkadi not only administered the temple and village but were also closely bound by a deep devotion to their Kuldevata — Shantadurga Kunkallikarin, whom they revered as the creator and protector of their village.
The Sacred Origin: A Legend
A revered local legend speaks of the Satpurush, a ancestor who had a divine vision of Goddess Shantadurga. She instructed him to locate her presence in a sacred lake at telebhat and gather twelve Kshatriya families to establish her worship and perform her rituals.
The Satpurush, believed by some to have origins in Southern India, had two wives and seven sons, who became the first seven Mahajan families. To complete the twelve, he sought out five more Kshatriya allies from nearby regions
From Banavali came the Siddhpurush, a devout of Katyayani Baneshwar.
From Madgao, Loko Naik, a descendant of Makaji Damodar, became the ninth Mahajan.
From Sawantwadi, came the Kalpurush, also known as the Bandhkar.
From Majali in Karwar, came the Ravno family, devotees of Narayan and Navadurga.
Also from Karwar, the Bheklo family settled in Kuncoliem, with their Kuldevata being Sateri Rameshwar.
Names of the 12 vangadi
The twelve Wangadi families of Cuncolim are:
- महाल (Mahal)
- शेटकर (Shetkar)
- नाईक (Naik)
- मोंगरो (Mongro)
- शेट/सोंबरो (Shet/Sombro)
- थोंबडो (Thombdo)
- परब/पोरबो (Parab/Porbo)
- सिद्धकाली (Siddhkali – descendants of Siddhpurush)
- लोकोकाली (Lokokali – descendants of Loko Naik)
- बांधकार (Bandhkar – descendants of Kalpurush)
- रवणो
- भेकलो
Each of these families proudly carries their ancestral surname and serves as a living link to the village’s divine heritage.