Milind G
Even to this day, the two major temples of Mangaladevi and Kadri in Mangalore maintain their connection. The hermits of Kadri Yogirajmutt visit Mangaladevi temple on the first days of Kadri temple festival and offer prayer and silk clothes to the deity.The Goddess Mangaladevi gives the city of Mangalore its name. She is the main deity of the temple, built in the memory of the princess of Malabar, Mangale in the 10th century. Mangala is worshipped as Shakti….
Mangalore, the prominent city on the west coast of Karnataka derives its name from the local deity, Mangaladevi. The ancient Mahathobhara Sri Mangaladevi temple is located in the south west of the city in the suburb of Bolar. It is revered by all Mangaloreans.
Legend:
The temple dates back to the ninth century, when Kundavarma, the famous king of the Alepa dynasty was ruling the region known as Tulu Nadu. During this period, there were two holy saints of the Nath cult, Machhendranath and Goraknath, who had come from Nepal. They reached Mangalore after crossing the river Nethravathi. The place where they crossed the river is known as Gorakdandi, the place near the banks of the river which once was the hermitage and centre of education of sage Kapila.
On hearing about the arrival of the two saints, the king proceeded to meet them. Introducing himself as the king of the region known as Tulu Nadu, he paid them his respects and offered them patronage. Pleased with the humility and virtues of the king, they suggested to him that the kingdom needed to be sanctified. They requested him to grant them land so as to build a hermitage and make it a centre for their religious activities under his protection and patronage. The ancient history surprised the king. He then came to know that his land was dedicated to Mangaladevi. It was from these saints he came to know that once upon a time there existed a temple in his land dedicated to Mangaladevi. From his own mother, he had heard the story of Vihasini and Andasura, Parashurama and the temple built by them. The two saints took the king to the sites where all these historical events had taken place. They asked the king to dig the place and retrieve the lingam and the dharapatra, symbolizing Mangaladevi and install them in a shrine along with Nagaraja for providing protection.
King Kundavarma carried out the advice of the two sages. A grand shrine devoted to Mangaladevi was built on the hallowed place. The two sages themselves supervised the execution of the work. The temple attained special significance as Mangaladevi granted special favours, specially un-married young women, who worshipped the goddess by observing Mangaladharavrata and fulfilled their wish of a suitable match.
Even to this day, the two major temples of Mangaladevi and Kadri in Mangalore maintain their connection. The hermits of Kadri Yogirajmutt visit Mangaladevi temple on the first days of Kadri temple festival and offer prayer and silk clothes to the deity.The Goddess Mangaladevi gives the city of Mangalore its name. She is the main deity of the temple, built in the memory of the princess of Malabar, Mangale in the 10th century. Mangala is worshipped as Shakti.
Festivals:
Chariot of Mangaladevi:
Navaratri during Dussera, special pujas are performed on all nine days. On the seventh day, goddess Mangaladevi is worshipped as Sharadamba and on the eighth day, the goddess is worshipped as Maarikamba. On this day Aayuda puja is performed. All weapons and tools are worshipped as the day marks the slaying of the demons by goddess Durga. On the ninth day also known as Mahanavmi, a large number of devotees participate in the Rathothsava. The decorated goddess is mounted on the grand chariot and pulled with thick ropes. The procession goes round Marnamikatte where the goddess is worshipped.
Ganeshotsav:
Ganeshotsav is also celebrated with much grandeur in the temple. A huge statue of Lord Ganesh is erected on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi. The statue is taken out in a procession on the third day and is immersed at Uppinakote near Hoige Bazaar.
How to reach the temple:
The temple is situated at just 3km from the heart of Mangalore city (Hampankatte) and Mangalore railway station. Frequent buses are available. Auto rickshaws are also available.
A visit to Mangalore is incomplete till you visit this holy temple, from which the city derived its name. Apart from locals, devotees from a other states and abroad make it a point to visit the famous temple and seek the blessing of the presiding deity.
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