The temple of Goddess Mahalasa had been on the plateau of Verna village in Salcette taluka from ancient times long before the advent of the Portuguese rule in this part of Goa.
Its mythological reference is found in Skanda Purana. It is the largest of all Puranas and is believed to have been written between seventh and ninth century CE. In this Purana, there are two adhyayas (chapters) entitled “Varunapur Mahatmya” and the legend of Shri Mahalasa of Varyenapur is narrated in these two adhyayas.