Bodgeshwar is locally considered as the guardian of Mapusa in Goa, the one who protects Mapusa and its people.
According to popular lore, on moonless nights, one can
sometimes see the torch held by Bodgeshwar, as he roams the fields near the Mapusa
Bodgeshwar temple. People believe that all their prayers will be fulfilled by
him, and so thousands of devotees flock to this temple. He is regarded as angavani
— the one fulfils the desires of devotees, who make vows to him.
Bodgeshwar is also considered the rakhno (caretaker)
of the lost. According to one legend, a small boy had come to attend the fair
with his father. The boy got lost in the huge crowds at the fair. Since he knew
the way home, he walked back to his house. Of course, he was accompanied by a
stranger, who introduced himself as his ‘uncle’. The stranger disappeared as
soon as the boy reached his home, in Porvorim. Later, it was discovered that
the uncle never went to the fair at all, and the man was none other than Bodgeshwar!
It is believed that the temple deity would walk around
Mapusa at midnight, following a fixed route. Some people, would are believed to
have seen him, would keep coconuts or beedis for him. The next morning,
these items would be gone.