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Durga Temple Aihole Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Durga Temple Aihole is a landmark of the religious life of Karnataka. Maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, the Durga Temple Aihole is also at the pending list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Durga Temple Aihole is dedicated to Lord Shiva or Lord Vishnu and exhibits a blend of Dravidian and Nagara architectural style. Durga Temple Aihole complex is well maintained and hence is neat and clean.

Aihole is considered to be the ‘cradle of Hindu rock architecture’ due to its beautiful temples. It is also mythologically an important place as it is believed that Parashurama washed his axe here after killing the Kshatriyas.

Durga Temple Aihole

History and Legend of Durga Temple Aihole

The Durga Temple Aihole has several historical events surrounding it.

  • Durga Temple was built between the 7th and 8th century by the Chalukya dynasty.
  • Though the temple is mistaken to be a Durga Temple, it is actually not so. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Shiva and is named as Durga Temple to mean that it is the temple of the fortress; Durga here actually means, ‘Durg,’ that is, the fortress.
  • The Durga Temple is a part of the fortification of the Marathas.

Significance of the Durga Temple Aihole

The Durga Temple is one of the architectural wonders of Aihole.

  • The Durga Temple Aihole is quadrilateral in shape. The contour of the temple exhibits the Gajaprasta style, that is, the backside of an elephant.
  • Durga Temple is impressive with numerous pillar reliefs which exhibit the unique Chalukya architectural style.
  • Also known as the fortress temple, the Durga Temple Aihole depicts a Buddhist chaitya and is adorned with exquisite carvings.
  • One of the most beautiful sculptures of the Durga Temple Aihole is that of Goddess Durga.
  • The seven headed serpent carved at the ceiling of the Durga Temple of Aihole is another impressive work by the artisans.
  • All the walls of the Durga Temple are decorated with sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses.
  • The temple also comes with a porch and an entrance to the epistle. Through the porch you can enter the rooms of the temple.
  • There are several rooms within the Durga Temple along with a Garba Griha. This is the main part of the shrine where the spirit of the shrine is located.
  • There are two main pillars of the temple, namely, the Mukha Mantapa and the Sabha Mantapa.
  • The elevated plinth, the high galleries and the moulded adisthana are the other characteristics of the Durga Temple.
  • The fine sculptures of Lord Narashima, Goddess Chamundi and Lord Shiva are the other attractions of the Durga Temple.

Durga Temple Aihole Timings

The Durga Temple in Aihole is a heritage of the country. Tourists come to visit the marvelous architecture of the temple. These temples are no more in use and hence regular rituals and worship are not performed at this shrine. Hence you can enter the temple premises from morning till dusk.

Durga Temple Food Timings

The Durga Temple is just a heritage site for visit and hence the tradition of distributing the ‘prasada’ after worship is no more practised.

Dress Code for Durga Temple Aihole

There is no specific dress code to be followed by the tourists to visit the temple. But as the climate is hot and humid, light coloured clothes are suggested.

Festivals celebrated at the Durga Temple Aihole

The Durga Temple is one of the tourist hotspots of Aihole due to its rich history and architectural features. Festivals are not celebrated here.

Poojas and Rituals at Durga Temple Aihole

The Durga Temple Aihole is no more used for worship.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

By Air: The nearest airport to the Durga Temple of Aihole is the Belgaum aiport. It is located approximately at 189 kms from Aihole. The city is directly connected to Mumbai by Vayudoot flights.

By Road: Aihole easily accessible from the major cities of Karnataka. It is located at 17 kms from Pattadakal, 44 kms from Badami and 490 kms from Bangalore. The roads are good and tourists can hire cabs to the temple. There are ample buses plying to and fro from Aihole.

By Rail: The nearest railway station to the Durga Temple of Aihole is the Hubli- Sholapur meter gauge line. It is located approximately at 34 kms from the city. There is ample number of transport facilities available at the railway station that takes you directly to the Durga Temple.

Hotels in Aihole: Where to stay

One of the famous sites of Aihole, the Durga Temple has several hotels around it. The Laxmi Vilas hotel is nearest to the temple. The hotel comes with both affordable and premium accommodations. There is ample supply of water at the hotel, besides the basic amenities. The Krishna Cottage and the Hotel Badami court are the luxury accommodations at Aihole. Besides car parking, you get quality food and convenient staying facilities here. Among the budget accommodations, the Heritage Resort and the Clarks Inn Badami are well known. Tourists can also opt to stay at Badami, which is just at 40 kms from Aihole.

Where to eat

From cafes to dhabas, there are numerous eat outs at Aihole. Durga Temple being a tourist hotspot has several hotels near it. These restaurants generally serve pure vegetarian food, namely, dosa, bisi bele bhath, akki roti, jolada roti, idli, vada, sambar and Mysore pak as desert. The hotels are hygienic and bottled drinking water is available. The Udipi restaurant, Amba Sagar restaurant, Banashree, Raaga fast food, Savaji non vegetarian hotel, College canteen, Hotel Vijaya Restaurant are some of the well known restaurants near the Durga Temple of Aihole.

Nearby Temples

There are almost 125 temples at Aihole, the ancient capital of the Chalukya dynasty. Temple architecture of Aihole can be divided into two phases; one is the 4th and 5th century and the other is the 12th century. Numerous temples were built during this time span and every temple is unique in itself. Artisans experimented with the styles and created gems out of rock. Some of the famous temples near the Durga Temple are:

  • Lad Khan Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this is one of the oldest Hindu temples of India. Located to the south of the Durga Temple, this rock cut temple is exquisite with floral patterns and delicate lattice work on its floor and walls.
  • Ambigera Gudi Temple: Situated just opposite to the Durga Temple, it is a complex of three temples. The Ambigera Gudi Temple is dedicated to Lord Surya and Lord Vishnu and exhibits a beautifully engraved lotus at its ceiling. This 10th century construction reflects the Nagara style of architecture with shikaras, mandapas and sanctums.
  • Mallikarjuna Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is located at the small town of Basaralu. Reflecting the Hoysala style of architecture, this shrine comes with a trikuta, which means three shrines are connected with a common hall. Built over a platform, this temple comes with a decorative pot, known as kalasa, a Hoysala crest, that is, the emblem of a Hoysala warrior and decorative walls.
  • Chikki Temple: This is a Jain temple built in 1204 AD. The temple pillars are engraved with Kannada inscriptions which narrate the era of Ratta King Kartaveerya IV and Sevuna Yadava Krishna.
  • Eniyar Temple: A group of eight temples, this temple complex is located at the western outskirts of the Aihole village. While the first two temples do not have images, the third temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The other temples are adorned with the images of Gajalakshmi, Ganapati and Karthikeya.
  • Hucchimalli Temple: One of the oldest temples of Aihole, the Hucchimalli Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple comes with a large hall and engraved with beautiful works.
  • Jain temple, Meguti temple: This Jain temple is located at a hilltop, just at 16 kms from Aihole. The temple is built with mortar and comes with a 16 columned porch and hall extensions.
  • Ravana Phadi rock-cut temple: This is a sandstone temple of Aihole, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple houses a wonderful sculpture of Nandi, the Vahana (vehicle) of Lord Shiva. The temple also comes with numerous small pillars.

Hence visit Durga Temple of Aihole to unravel a glamorous facet of temple architecture of India.

Halebidu Temples Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Halebidu is another landmark in the temple architectural history of Karnataka. Located at the Hassan District of the state, the name of the city means the ‘Old City.’ This city was the capital of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century and hence is a treasure of architectural marvels. The most important shrines of the city are the Hoysaleswara temple and the Kedareswara Temple; both these temples represent the Hoysala style of architecture.

Located at the banks of a lake, the Halebidu Temple complex is beautiful and holy with its serene atmosphere and lush greenery all around. The temple complex is maintained perfectly and hence is neat and clean even in the rainy season. The Halebidu Temples are safeguarded by the Archaeological Survey of India. The Hoysaleswara temple is a UNESCO world heritage site while the Kedareswara Temple has been proposed to be recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site.

Halebidu

History and Legend of Halebidu

The Halebidu temples are witness to the glorious past of ancient India.

  • The Hoysaleswara temple was constructed by the Ketamala, the chief architect of that time, around 1121 AD.
  • The Hoysaleswara temple was dedicated to King Vishnuvardhana, the then ruler of Halebidu.
  • The Hoysaleswara temple is dedicated to Hoysaleswara and Shantaleswara, named after King Vishnuvardhana Hoysala and Queen Shantala Devi.
  • The Kedareswara Temple was constructed around 1173- 1200 AD.
  • The Kedareswara Temple was constructed by King Veera Ballala II and Queen Ketaladevi.
  • The Kedareswara Temple is dedicated to an incarnation of Lord Shiva, Ishwara.
  • The three Jain basadis located within the Halebidu temple complex were constructed at different times. While the Adinatha Swamy was constructed during the 1138 AD, the Shantinatha Swamy Temple was constructed at 1192 AD and the Parshvanatha basadi was constructed in 1133 AD.
  • The Halebidu Temples were almost ruined by Muslim invasion; the city was invaded twice by Malik Kafur, during the 14th  century
  • Halebidu was originally known as Dorasamudra or Dwarasamudra. It came to be known as Halebidu after it was looted by the Muslim rulers of Delhi, at 1311 and 1327 and the city was completely destroyed. The word Halebidu means a ruined city.

Significance of the Halebidu Temple

The Hoysaleswara Temple and the Kedareswara Temple are popular tourist destinations of Halebidu. These temples are known for the intricate carvings which portray the golden age of Hoysala rule. Every sculpture is different from the other; the granular details of the postures are amazing.

  • The Temple complex consists of two Hindu temples, Hoysaleswara temple and the Kedareswara Temple and a Jain basadi, which has three temples within it.
  • There is also an archaeological museum within the complex which helps you understand the importance of the sculptures and carvings of the shrines.
  • This archaeological museum was built in 1970 and consists of almost 1500 sculptures and inscriptions that have been recovered from the nearby places.
  • Besides an enclosed gallery, there is also an open air museum, which displays an 18 feet image of a Tirthankara, Lord Krishna and Shiva in Tandava posture, Nataraja, Goddess Saraswati and dancing Ganesha.
  • These temples are constructed with soapstone.
  • The walls of the Hoysaleswara temple are adorned with carvings of Hindu mythology, images of flora and fauna, dancers and shilabalikas.
  • The temple is guarded by two monolith sculptures of Nandi the vahana of Lord Shiva, on each side.
  • The Jain basadi of the temple complex also exhibit fine sculptures, depicting the rich traditions and believes of Jainism.
  • One of the Jain basadi is known as the Parshvanatha basadi. This basadi consists of a large sculpture of Lord Parshvanatha, which is 18 feet in height and made of black stone. A seven headed serpent over the head of the idol is considered to be guarding the deity.
  • The 12 pillars of the Parshvanatha basadi are exquisitely carved out of a rock.
  • The Lakshmi Narayana idol of Hoysaleswara temple is famous due to its perfect carvings.
  • The outer walls of the Hoysaleswara temple are adorned with sculptures of various deities of Hindu mythology.
  • The entrance of the Hoysaleswara temple is also adorned with sculptures of decked up elephants in a battling mood. This sculpture represents the way of entertainment of ancient India, where elephant fights were common.
  • The Kedareswara Temple represents the Trikutchala layout.
  • The Kedareswara Temple also consists of a life size sculpture of Nandi.
  • The Ganesha sculpture of the Kedareswara Temple is erected outside the Kedareswara temple, which seems to guard the temple of Lord Shiva.
  • The relief of Lord Vishnu at the Kedareswara temple is in a standing posture, flanked with images of goddesses on both sides.
  • The relief of Arjuna at the Kedareswara temple depicts excerpts from the great Indian epic, Mahabharata.
  • The Kedareswara temple also exhibits different avatars of Lord Vishnu, like the Varaha and Bamana avatar.

Halebidu Temple Timings

  • The Halebidu temple complex is open from 6:30 am to 9:30 pm. The best time to visit the temples is early morning.
  • It is suggested to visit the temple complex early morning as the weather is hot. There are experienced guides available at the complex who takes you back in the golden era of Hoysala kingdom when the shrines were constructed.
  • The Halebidu temple complex is open on all days of the week.
  • The best time to visit the Halebidu Temples is from November to March.

Halebidu Temple Food Timings

The Halebidu temple complex is now open just for sightseeing and regular Hindu worship and rituals do not take place. Hence the custom of serving food is not present.

Dress Code

There is no particular dress code at the Halebidu temple complex, but it is advised that most of the body part is covered. Cotton clothes are preferred due to the hot weather. Shoes have to be kept out before entering the temple complex.

Festivals celebrated at the Temple

No specific festivals are celebrated at the Halebidu temple complex.

Poojas and Rituals

The Halebidu temple complex is a heritage site and poojas and rituals are not performed here.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

By Air: The nearest airport to the Halebidu Temple complex is the Mangalore airport. This airport lies at 185 km from the city of Halebidu. There are direct flights from Kozhikode, Mumbai and Bangalore to Mangalore. The international airport of Bangalore is another important airport near Halebidu. There are taxis and buses available outside the airport, which take the tourists directly to Halebidu temple complex.

By Train: The nearest railway station to Halebidu is the Hassan railway station, lying at 32 km from the city. You can avail direct trains from Birur, Shimoga, Mysore, Bangalore, Mangalore, Dharwad, Karwar and Hubli to Hassan. There are auto rickshaws, taxis and buses available from the railway station which take you to the Halebidu temple complex.

By Road: Halebidu is easily accessible by the road. It is directly connected with the capital city of the state, Bangalore, major cities of Mysore and Mangalore. Tourists can avail direct buses to Hassan district. Halebidu is located at 149 km from Mysore, 211 km from Bangalore, 34 km from Chikmagalur and 31 km from Hassan. Belur, another important tourist destination of Karnataka is near to Halebidu (just 15 km) and hence you can cover the distance in private taxis.

Regular buses ply from the important cities of Karnataka to Halebidu. There is a bus stoppage at the Halebidu temple complex. Taxis and auto rickshaws are the other local transport facilities available here.

Hotels: Where to stay

There are decent staying facilities available near the Halebidu temples. The Sumukha residency and Vishnu Regency are located at 15.4 km from the temple complex. Hoysala Village Resort, Stay Simple Riverdale, Hotel Mayura International are to name a few. These hotels provide both budget and premium accommodation to the tourists, along with basic amenities and food facilities.

Where to eat

Tourists can enjoy Indian, continental and Chinese cuisines at Halebidu. Some of the well known eat outs near the temple complex are the Club House at Planters Court, Hotel Gokul Veg, The Meridian and the Shantala.

Nearby Temples

Besides the Halebidu Temple complex, there are other temples which are worth a visit.

  • Chennakesava Temple: Located at Belur, this temple was built during the Hoysala rule. Dedicated to Lord Chennakesava, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This temple is known for its fine sculptures and intricate carvings.
  • Sri Veera Narayana Temple: Located at 12 km from Halebidu, this temple is another gem of Hoysala architecture. The temple is mythologically important as it is believed that Bheema, the second brother of the Pandava brothers of the Great Indian epic of Mahabharata defeated demon Bakasura. Built in the 13th century, this temple is dedicated to three incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
  • Shravanabelagola: a popular Jain pilgrimage, this historical site is located at 50 km from the Hassan district. It is famous for the tallest monolithic statue, a Bahubali statue of 58 feet made of granite.
  • Chamundeswari Temple: Located at Mysore, the Chamundeswari Temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga. With various sculptures and a glorious history, this is one of the most beautiful temples of the state.
  • Ranganathaswamy Temple: Situated at the Srirangapatna Island, this temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Within the massive temple complex of Ranganathaswamy Temple, there are precious relics exhibiting Hoysala and Vijaynagara architectural style.
  • The Mallikarjuna Temple: This temple is dedicated to Lord Mallikarjuna and Goddess Parvati and is unique, being built by the Vijaynagara rulers using old materials.

Hence be at the Halebidu temple complex to witness the meticulous artwork that was created almost 900 years back. If tired, just rest your feet over the green grass, basking in the celestial atmosphere.

Badami Cave Temples Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Badami Cave Temples are a part of the glorious rock-cut temple architecture of India. These cave temples are located at Badami, a small city in the Indian state of Karnataka. Badami Caves Temple is located at the western banks of an artificial lake, known as Agastya Lake, while River Malaprabha flows at 3 miles away from the site.

The temples are safeguarded by an earthen wall with stone flights. The northern and southern part of the Badami Cave Temples is safeguarded by forts, which were built later than the rock-cut temples. The Badami Cave Temples consists of Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu temples. These cave temples represent the Chalukya style of architecture and are some of the oldest Hindu temples of the country, dating back to the 6th century. The Badami Cave Temples are recognized by UNESCO as world heritage sites.

Badami Caves Temple

History and Legend of Badami Cave Temples

The Badami Cave Temples of Karnataka is a part of the golden phase of ancient India.

  • The Badami Cave Temples of Karnataka were constructed during the 6th to the 8th century by the Chalukya dynasty.
  • There are four primary caves, namely, Cave 1, Cave 2, Cave 3 and Cave 4.
  • These caves are constructed out of Badami sandstone.
  • The Cave 1 was the first excavation by the Chalukya artisans, which took place in the 550 AD.
  • The epigraphy, that is, rock inscriptions in the Kannada language over the Cave 3 depicts explains the time of construction of this cave temple. Based on this information, the time of construction of the other cave temples of Badami.
  • The epigraphy over Cave 3 informs that the cave temple was built by Mangalesha, during the hindu lunar calendar of Saka 500.
  • Besides these four caves, another two caves were discovered. Cave 5 is considered to be a Buddhist cave.
  • There are several theories related to the statue discovered in Cave 5, which is a natural cave.
  • One of the theories states that this carved statue is that of Lord Buddha. The chauris of the temple depict Bodhistavas. Later the temple was converted into a Hindu shrine of Lord Vishnu and Lord Buddha was marked as the ninth avatar of the Lord, which is evident from the white paintings on the face of the statue.
  • Another theory states that Cave 5 was always a Hindu cave, dedicated to Mayamoha, also known as the Buddhavatara Vishnu.
  • As per another theory, the statue is of a Jain deity.
  • According to archaeologist Henry Cousens and A. Sundara, it is a statue of an ancient monarch, as it is adorned with non-Buddhist ornaments, like rings, necklaces, and a chest band. The statue is also found to wear the Hindu sacred thread.
  • The latest excavation took place in 2015. This led to the discovery of Cave 6.
  • Cave 6 lies approximately 500 meters away from the other five came temples. This cave temple is a Hindu temple, comprising of 27 fine sculptures of Hindu deities.

Significance of the Badami Cave Temples

The Badami Cave Temples of Karnataka not only forms an important tourist destination of the country but also the place where the religious beliefs of India have been beautifully portrayed.

  • The Cave 1 of the group of Badami Cave temples is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Cave 1 is similar to a normal temple complex, with an open L shaped courtyard, a verandah, a pillared hall and a comparatively small sanctum that has been engraved into the center of the rear wall of the cave.
  • Cave 1 is significant for exquisite sculptures. The sculptures depict the family of Lord Shiva, constituting Goddess Durga, along with the two sons, Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya. The interior of Cave 1 is adorned with the sculptures of this mythological family.
  • The western part of the cave temple comes with some of the most well-known sculptures of the site. There is a small grotto at this side. The Northern part of the grotto represents the 18 armed posture of dancing Shiva, also known as the Tandava form of the deity. These 18 armed dance posture represents the 9 postures of the famous Indian dance, Bharatnatyam.
  • Another part of the cave temple consists of the Ardhashivara image, which is a composite form of Lord Shiva and his wife, Goddess Parvati. The image is flanked by the fine sculptures of Goddess Parvati, Bhringi, the follower of Lord Shiva and the Vahana (vehicle) of Lord Shiva, Nandi.
  • The other side of the Cave 1 treasures a life-size sculpture of Lord Vishnu, in the form of Harihara along with the fine sculptures of his consort, Goddess Lakshmi and an image of Goddess Parvati.
  • The pedestal of Cave 1 is adorned with the dwarf incarnations of Lord Ganesha; each sculpture depicting a different mood of Ganesha.
  • The ceiling of the verandah of Cave 1 depicts the five hooded sculpture of Nagaraja, flanked by the beautiful image of the celestial couples.
  • The pillars of the Cave 1 are also intricately carved. Besides the bead garlands, the pillars are decorated with images of Lord Narasimha, Lord Ganesha and small depiction of dream animals, known as iha mrigas in Hindu mythology.
  • The inner face of the front beam of the verandah of Cave 1 depicts the glorious wedding ceremony of Goddess Parvati to Lord Shiva.
  • The eave of the cave temple is decorated with fine sculptures of small animals.
  • The Cave 1 and Cave 2 temples were constructed following the Northern Deccan style of architecture.
  • Cave 2 is the replica of Cave 1 in its layout. This cave temple is primarily dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
  • The Cave 2 consists of a large sculpture of Trivikrama, which is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The deity has one foot on the ground while the other is directed to the north.
  • This cave also comprises other Avatars of Lord Vishnu, like Baraha and Krishna.
  • The entrance to Cave 2 is adorned with the sculptures of two armed guardians, which surprisingly are seen to hold flowers instead of weapons.
  • The columns of Cave 2 temple are adorned with stories of mythological battles, scenes of Samudra Manthan, images of Gajalakshmi, Lord Brahma and Vishnu, Bal Katha of Lord Krishna. The ceiling of Cave 2 is engraved with the image of a wheel with sixteen spokes along with swastika symbol and flying couples.
  • Cave 3 is the largest cave of the group. This Cave temple is also dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Cave 3 is adorned with intricate carvings and each part of the cave temple narrates the mythological stories related to Lord Vishnu. This cave temple consists of a large Lord Vishnu statue seated on serpent Seesha.
  • Cave 3 also depicts some of the Vesara styles of architecture. There are colored frescoes and paintings at the Cave 3 temple, along with motifs of Yantra Chakra, that is, geometric symbols.
  • The cave depicts both Shaivism and Vaishnavism, due to the fused image of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva known as Harihara. The brackets of this cave temple are intricately carved with human figures, standing under trees.
  • Cave 4 of the Badami group of cave temples is dedicated to Jainism. This cave temple is situated at a higher level than the other temples.
  • The back of this cave temple treasures a sculpture of Mahavira seated on a lion throne. The statue is flanked with images of attendants with fans, saldulas and makara heads.
  • The end wall of Cave 4 consists of a large statue of Lord Parshvanath, with a multi-headed cobra as his crown. The sculptures of Indrabhuti Gautama, Bahubali with snakes encircling both the images exhibit the finesse of Indian architecture. The inner walls of this cave temple consist of images of Jain Tirthankaras, Yakshas, Yakshis, and Padmavati.
  • The Cave 3 and Cave 4 temples exhibit the Northern Nagara and Southern Dravidian style of architecture.

Badami Cave Temples Timings

  • Badami Cave temple complex is open from dawn to dusk.

Festivals celebrated at the Badami Cave Temples

Festivals are not celebrated at the Badami Caves Temple. Badami is a culturally important city and several festivals are celebrated around the year.

  • The Banashankari Temple Festival is celebrated near Badami during the months of January and February.
  • The Virupaksha Temple Car Festival is celebrated at Pattadakal in the month of March.
  • Mallikarjuna Temple Festival is celebrated at Pattadakal during the months of March and April.

Poojas and Rituals at Badami Cave Temples

The Badami Cave Temples are world heritage sites and at present pooja is not performed at these temples.

How to Reach: Road, Rail, and Air

The Badami Cave Temples are located 1 km from the main town. The site is easily accessible via air, rail, and roads.

  • By Air: There are two airports located near Badami. The nearest airport to Badami is located at Hubli, Karnataka, which is 106 km from the city. The other airport is Belgaum, which is 150 km from the city. These airports are connected to the international airport of Bangalore and Mumbai. There are taxis and buses available at the airport which directly can take you to Badami.
  • By Train: The nearest railway station to the Badami Cave Temples is the Badami railway station. This railway station connects the important cities of Bangalore, Hubli, Bijapur, Gadag, and Solapur to Badami. The nearest junction to Badami is Hubli railway station, which connects with other cities of the country. There is also direct railway connectivity from Bangalore (Yashawantapura Junction) to Badami. The Badami railway station is located at 5 km from the railway station.
  • By Road: Badami is directly connected to Hubli, Dharwad, Belgaum, Bangalore, Bagalkot, Hampi and Bijapur via road. While Pune is at 470 km from Badami, Bangalore is at 464 km and Hyderabad at 420 km. Besides private and government buses, tourists can avail taxis to reach the Badami Cave Temples. Visitors can enjoy unique tonga rides (horse-driven vehicles) from the bus stand to the temple complex, while the auto-rickshaws are a faster mode of communication within the city.

Hotels in Badami: Where to Stay

Badami is a popular tourist destination and hence there are hotels of all price ranges. Hotel Badami Court, Hotel Rajsangam and Hotel Mookambika Deluxe are some of the decent hotels at Badami, which provide you with basic amenities and ensure a comfortable stay.

Where to Eat

Besides vegetarian food, both Chinese and continental cuisines are available at the eat-outs of Badami.

Nearby Temples

Badami treasures several ancient temples. Tourists can explore the following temples besides the Badami Cave Temples.

  • Bhoothanatha Temples: Located at the banks of Agastya Lake, these temples are also built with sandstone. Dedicated to Lord Bhoothanatha, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, this temple complex also depicts fine carvings of Jain figures and avatars of Lord Vishnu.
  • Mahakuta Temple: Located just a few kilometers from Badami, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built in Badami Chalukya style of architecture, this temple is important for the two inscriptions, one is the Pillar inscription and the other is the Porch inscription; these inscriptions narrate the history of the Chalukya dynasty.
  • Sri Veerabhadra Temple: Located at Godachi, a village of the Belgaum district, this temple is dedicated to Lord Veerabhadra. A fusion of Chalukya and Vijaynagara architectural style, the site is known for the Godachi Jatra fair, held during November- December, the Hindu month of Karthik.
  • The Banashankari Amma Temple: Located at the Bagalkot district, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati. Built in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple exhibits the unique deity with eight arms, seated on a lion while the defeated demon lies at her feet.
  • Aihole: This city of Karnataka is popularly known as the ‘cradle of ancient Indian architecture.’ With 125 temples, this city depicts Nagara and the Dravidian style of architecture.

Hence, visit Badami Cave Temples to turn the pages of golden India.

Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple – Timings, Poojas and Significance

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Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Shakti located in Kateel, Karnataka. The Temple is situated on an islet formed naturally in the middle of the river Nandini. The town of Kateel lies 29 km from Mangalore city center and is considered as one of the holiest temple towns in India.

Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple – Facts

Darshan Timings5:30 am to 9:30 pm
PoojasAksharabhyasam, Chandika Yaga, Yakshagana
ToursMangalore Temple Tour
Location Mangalore, Karnataka
DeityGoddess Durga
SignificanceFor settling family and property disputes
Entry FeeGeneral Darshan: Free.
Dress CodeTraditional wear
Best Time to VisitSeptember to February
PhotographyNot allowed
ParkingFree
FestivalsNavratri
Kateel Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple Real Story

The Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple administration is also dedicated to charity as it provides free Annadanam and other aids free of cost to the weaker sections of the society.

Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple Puja Timings

The timings for Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple are:

Puja’s and RitualsTimings
Regular Temple Timings 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Temple Cleaning4:00 AM
Abhishekam 6:00 AM
Abhishekam to Udbhava Linga6:30 AM
Morning Mahappoja12:30 PM
Pradosha Pooja7:00 AM
Evening Mahappoja 7:30 PM
Rangapooja8:30 PM

Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple Rituals and Seva List

Puja and Rituals at Kateel Durga Parmeshwar Temple
Devotees and Priests offering Puja and Rituals at the temple of Kateel Durga Parmeshwari.
  1. Thrimadhura Naivedyam – The Goddess is offered Sugar, Honey, and Butter as Bhog or Naivedyam for the day on behalf of the devotee.
  2. Panchamrutha Abhisheka – The deity is bathed with five holy “Amrit” or Nectar. They are Milk, Honey, Curd, Sugar, and Ghee.
  3. Ranga Pooja – The Goddess is worshiped with either 24 rows of Deepams or with 64 rows of Deepams on behalf of the devotee.
  4. Aksharabhyasa – The couples with children of age 2 – 5 can perform the Seva as a start to the education of their children. The performing of this ritual is special because the presiding deity Durga Parameshwari is the Goddess of intelligence and knowledge.
  5. Sathyanarayana Pooja – The Pooja is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Pooja can be performed on any day but is believed to be extremely auspicious if performed on the eve of Chithra Pournami. The Pooja is performed to attain peace, prosperity, to remove obstacles and to be free from the negative thoughts.
  6. Chandika Yagna – The Chandika Homam requires the presence of 7 priests. They chant the 700 verses and hymns from the Devi Mahatmayam. Offerings of the Payasam (sweet pudding or Kheer) are made to Agni during the chantings.
  7. Tulabhara Seva – This Seva includes the devotee sitting on one side of the Tula or the weighing balance. On the other side, offerings are arranged until the weight of the devotee and the offerings balance themselves. The offerings are then donated to the Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple.
  8. Annadana – The Maha Annadana Seva can be performed by the devotees. The food or the Prasadam will be worshiped and distributed to all the visiting devotees for the day on behalf of the prescribing devotee.
  9. Trikala Pooja – The Seva includes performing three Poojas in a day, one each at dawn, noon and dusk.
  10. Mrityunjaya Homam – This Pooja is done to increase longevity and immortality of the person. The devotee asks for forgiveness from Lord Shiva and asks for a long healthy and prosperous life.
  11. The Kateela Yakshagana Mela – The Kateela Mela is a Seva in which troupe of artists performs the Yakshagana drama with music and dance for the devotees. It is believed that the Seva pleases the Goddess as she loves art, music, and dance.

The Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple remains open until midnight on special occasions like Navarathri and other important festival days.

Cost of Puja/Sevas in Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple

Puja/SevasCost
Karthi Pooja Rs. 10.00
Hovina Pooja Rs. 120.00
Durga Namaskara Rs. 60.00
Kunkumarchane Rs. 30.00
Panchakajjaya Rs. 20.00
Karpoorarathi Rs. 30.00
Sahasra Namarchane Rs. 60.00
Panchamritha Abhisheka Rs. 70.00
Shree Sookthabhisheka Rs. 40.00
Amrithpadi Nandadeepa Rs. 120.00
Alankara Pooja Rs. 120.00
Maha Pooja Rs. 170.00
Sarva Seva Rs. 1000.00
Ranga Pooja Rs. 3000.00
Mristanna PujaRs. 250.00
Ksheera Payasa Rs. 80.00
Ratha Hoovina Pooja Rs. 80.00
Kannika Pooja Rs. 20.00
Annadana Seva Rs. 2500.00
Maha Annadana Seva Rs. 20000.00
Samooha Seva Rs. 100.00
The divine image of Kateel Durga Parmeshwari
The picture of Goddess Durga in the temple sanctum at Kateel Durga Parmeshwari.

All the online Sevas will be charged with 1.55% additional Processing charges and Service tax. Also the final net amount is rounded to Rupees.

Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple Dress Code

The Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple administration does not impose any strict dress code but it is recommended to wear decent clothes to the Temple. Shorts, Bathing wear, and miniskirts are not allowed inside the Temple. Any material made of animal skin is not allowed inside the temple premises.

Significance of Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple

Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Significance
The divine rock and Nandini river that are very significant in Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple.
  • The Linga of the main deity, Goddess Durga Parameshwari is an Udbhavalinga which means that it is self-manifested and not installed by anyone. The Linga is decorated in the form of Goddess Ambika, a form of Durga who symbolizes marital and family harmony.
  • The Goddess is bathed with tender coconut water as it is believed that it is her favorite drink. No one drinks Tender coconut water in the Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple without offering it to the Goddess first. As per the legend, the Goddess appeared as the dancer Mohini in Arunasura’s garden.
  • The Sanctum of the Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple is perpetually wet and the Kumkum offered to the devotees is always wet. It is believed that River Nandini blesses the devotees in this way. The Temple is primarily visited by devotees to settle family and property disputes as well as to relieve themselves from heart-related diseases and infections.
  • The Annadanam is performed in the Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple twice daily. Thousands of pilgrims are fed daily in the huge kitchen that is well equipped with all the modern amenities. During the Mesha Sankranama, the Balimoorthi or the Utsava Moorthi is worshiped in the Annadanam hall in front of heaps of rice and coconut.
  • The Kateel Mela is a unique and popular feature attributed to the Temple. The tradition began in the mid-19th century and continues till date. The Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple currently has five troupes of Yakshagaana artists who perform the art and drama of the Yakshagaana for the devotees.
  • The Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple provides a large number of special services named as “Prayschitha Seva” that can be performed at the Temple premises. These Sevas are Chandika Yagna, Tender coconut Abhishekam, Trikala Pooja, Griha Shanti (akin to the Navagraha Pooja), Durga Homam, Mrityunjaya Homam, Siver Chariot festival and the Golden Palanquin festival.
  • The Theerthasnana or bathing in the Theertha (holy water) in the Temple is considered as extremely sacred. It is believed that one can redeem himself from his sins and fight misfortune in his life after taking a Snana or bath with the holy water.
  • The Golden Chariot housed at the Temple Complex is the biggest Gold Chariot in Karnataka. The value of the chariot can be estimated at Rupees four billion.

The Yakshagana dance is performed by the devotees on every special day throughout the year. The devotees genuinely believe that Goddess Durga reveals a part of herself during the performance.

The History and Legends attached with Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple

Yakshagana Performance by devotees in Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple
Yakshagana dance performance by devotees during Festival celebration in Kateel Durga Temple.

The legend behind the origin of the Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple is mentioned in sources like Markandeya Purana. The Sahyadrikanda of the Skanda Purana also relates to the legends. Sri Nirjararanya Mahatmayam and in Devi Bhagavatha Mahatmayam are two more sources for the legends related to the temple.

The legend begins with the battle between Goddess Shakti and demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. Both were eventually killed in the battle. However, Arunasura, their minister fled the battle and gathered all the remaining demons. He became their king and started disturbing the sages and munis by disturbing the Yagnas. The Gods learned of this and stopped the rains.

Seeing the situation worsening, Maharishi Jabali visited Lord Brahma and requested him to send Kamadhenu (a holy cow) for completing a ritual. Lord Brahma replied that since Kamadhenu was unavailable, Nandini her daughter would come for the ritual. However, Nandini refused and insulted the Maharishi. The Maharishi became angry and cursed her that she will flow as a river on the Earth’s surface.

Nandini was mortified and prayed to Sri Adi Parashakti. The Goddess said that she could not lift the curse, but she will take birth from Nandini and relieve her from the curse in due course of time. Satisfied, Nandini descended on Earth and started flowing from the Kanakachala mountain.

Meanwhile, Arunasura started strict penance and obtained a boon from Lord Brahma. He wished that he will not be killed by any God, demon, reptile, Yaksha, Gandharva, Kinnara, Kimpurusha, Siddha, Sadhya, Vidhyadhara, man, woman, by any weapons or by animals on two and four feet.

Lord Brahma granted him the boon. He asked for a boon from Goddess Saraswati who blessed him by saying that as long as he chants the Gayathri Mantra every day, Death will not touch him.

Boosted by the boons, he created a huge army and started terrorizing people. He even defeated Indra and subjugated him. Lord Indra went to the trinity for help. Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva requested the help of the Supreme Mother Sri Adi Parashakti. She agreed to help but said that Arunasura had to be converted into an atheist.

Brihaspathi, disguised as a Brahmin met Arunasura and after a long debate, convinced him of the futility of his belief in reciting the Gayathri Mantra. He convinced Arunasura that he was the supreme being and should be worshiped above all Gods and Goddesses. Arunasura eventually became a tyrant.

Sri Adi Parashakti disguised herself as a beautiful and seductive Mohini and appeared in the gardens of Arunasura’s kingdom. He was informed by his ministers of the beautiful damsel in the Gardens. Arunasura reached the garden and was captivated by her beauty. He proposed her but she refused.

After trying to persuade her repeatedly, she went inside a rock. Arunasura broke the rock and out came a swarm of bees that stung him all over the body. The Goddess took the form of a big and furious bee named “Bhramara” and repeatedly attacked him until he died.

Maharishi Jabali along with other Gods offered the furious form of the Goddess with tender coconut and calmed her down. Maharishi Jabali, Indra, Nandini, and other Gods requested her to make the place as her abode. Sri Adi Parashakti appeared as a Linga in the middle of the river Nandini.

Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple Architecture

Architecture of Kateel Durga Parmeshwari
The fascinating and unique architecture of Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple

The town of Kateel gets its name from the words ‘Kati‘ meaning the middle of the center and ‘La‘ meaning the place. Thus, the word Kateela means “The place in the center” referring to the center of the River Nandini which originates in the Kanakachala mountain and flows till Pravanje where it integrates into the sea.

The Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple architecture resembles the Kerala style of construction. Apart from the deity Goddess Durga Parameshwari, one can also visit several smaller shrines inside the Temple Complex. After entering the Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple from the main entrance, a huge rock can be seen just before entering the bridge.

This is the Raktheshwari form of the Goddess from where she came out as a Bee to kill the demon Arunasura. The rock is worshiped three times a day and devotees offer tender coconuts to the rock as a symbol of their affection for the Goddess.

Other Shrines present in Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple
Different other Idols in Kateel Durga Parmeshwari temple during rituals.

The Temple also has shrines dedicated to Mahaganapathi, Shasthara, Kshethrapalaka, Nagasannidhi, Goddess Chamundi and to Lord Brahma.

Festivals celebrated at Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple

Festivals celebrated at Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple
Few of the famous festivals celebrated at the Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple.
  1. Annual festival – The grand Temple festival begins on the day before the Mesha Sankranama (Solar New Year). The gateway and the entrances to the Temple are decorated and Ankura Pooja is performed for the deity. On the day of Mesha Sankranama, the temple flag is hoisted called as Dhvajarohana.
  2. Vasanthotsava – The festival marks the beginning of the spring. Special Poojas and rituals are followed for the Goddess at the Vasantha Mandap of the Temple. Lots of flowers, fruits and vegetables are offered to the Goddess first and then later distributed to the devotees as Prasadam.
  3. Hattanadhi Pattanaje – The Yakshagana troupes end their tour on the tenth day of the Vrishabha month which usually falls in May. Six podiums are set up on the Ratha street where they perform for the last time for the year after which they stop for the year.
  4. Sri Krishna Janmashtami – The Temple celebrated the birth of Lord Krishna in a grand manner. The Mosarakudde ( an earthen pot filled with buttermilk is hung on top between two poles) ritual is celebrated amidst great fanfare followed by a Yakshagana performance in the evening.
  5. Kadiru Habba or Navanna – This unique celebration in the month of Bhadrapada or August – September signifies the good health and prosperity. On this day, a bunch of spikes of corn is taken to the temple and sanctified in the presence of the Goddess.
  6. Navarathri – The grand festival dedicated to the Goddess is celebrated for nine days followed by Vijayadasami on the tenth day. The Chandika Homam and the Ranga Poojas are conducted on all nine days of Navarathri.
  7. Magha Pournami – The auspicious day is celebrated on the full-moon day in the month of Magha or January – February. The day signifies the descent of River Nandini to Earth to relieve the severe drought conditions and sufferings of the human race.

Besides the above festivals, several other important days are observed by the Temple administration like Rashi Pooja, Dhanu Pooja, Bhajana Mangalothsava, and Naga Panchami.

How to reach Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple?

  • By Air – The nearest airport is the Bajpe International Airport in the city of Mangalore which is just 16 km away. Mangalore is well connected to several major cities and towns of the country. Regular flights are available from New Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Chennai, and Bengaluru.
  • By Train – The nearest railway station is Mulki which is 11 km away from Kateel. It is connected to Bengaluru, Mandya, Mysore, Hassan, Subrahmanya, Surathkal, Mookambika, Murudeshwar, Honnavar, Karwar, Gokarna, Thane, and Mangalore. The other important stations nearby are Surathkal and Mangalore. Mangalore Junction is connected to several cities of the country.
  • By Road – The town can be approached on NH17. Regular buses are operated by both the Government as well as the private operators from Mangalore, Bengaluru, Mysore and several other pilgrim towns in Karnataka.

Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple Accommodation

The Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple administration has constructed three lodges to accommodate the devotees. These lodges provide the basic facilities like AC, Parking facilities and 24 hours power supply. The names of the lodges are Nandini Lodge, Bhramari Lodge, and Durgaprasad Lodge.

Apart from the staying options provided by the Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple, several private lodges are available for booking. Some of the popular ones are Laxminarayana Mandira and the Gopalkrishna Sabha Bhavana.

For the Theerthasnana, the Temple administration makes special provisions for the devotee and has to be informed in advance.

Where to eat near Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple –

Prasadam for the devotees in Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple
The devotees visiting the temple can eat the Prasadam served by the temple trust.

Apart from the Annadana, there are a few small hotels located near the Temple complex that serves good quality food. A variety of cuisines ranging from simple South Indian, North Indian, Chinese and Italian are served at the Hotels here.

  • The Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple administration provides free meals every day to all the visiting devotees at 12:30 PM and 8:30 PM.

The Temple provides free lunch and dinner to all the visiting pilgrims. The Timings are 12:30 PM to 3 PM and 8:30 PM to 10 PM.

What are the Temples nearby Kateel Durga Parmeshwari –

Temples near Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Templ
Devotees can also enjoying travelling to the nearby temple close to Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple.
  • Kudupu Sri Anantha Padmanabha Temple – The Temple is located just 22 km away from the town of Kateel. The presiding deities of the Temple are Lord Anantha (Lord Shiva) and Lord Padmanabha (Lord Vishnu). The Temple is well known for Serpent worship. The deity Sri Anantha Padmanabha faces west.
  • Sri Udupi Krishna Temple – The unique Temple of Sri Krishna in a Bal Avatar is situated at a distance of 25 km from Kateel. The idol of Sri Krishna is represented as a child holding a churning rod in one hand and a rope on the other. The idol is believed to be made in Dwarka during Sri Krishna’s reign by his wife Rukmini.
  • Sri Raja Rajeshwari Temple, Polali – The ancient temple that dates back to the 8th century is situated in a town called Polali, 23 km away from Kateel. The unique feature of the Temple is that the idol of the presiding deity Sri Raja Rajeshwari is 10 feet tall and is fully molded in clay.
  • Nelliteertha Temple – The Temple is also called as the Nelliteertha Cave Temple and is located 20 km away from Kateel. The Temple dates back to 1487 AD. The presiding deity of the Temple is Lord Somanatheshwara, a form of Lord Shiva.

Besides these Temples, the city of Mangalore is just 27 kms away. Several religious centers and historic temples are home to the city like Sri Mangaladevi Temple etc.

Frequently Asked Questions about Kateel Durga Parmeshwari

How much distance is Kateel Durga Parmeshwari from Mangalore city?

Kateel or Kateelu is a temple town in the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, India. It is about 26 kilometers away from Mangalore.

Where is the temple of Kateel Durga Parmeshwari situated?

The holy temple is situated on an islet in the middle of the sacred river Nandini 

What are the noted festivals celebrated in Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple?

The noted festive events celebrated in the temple are Uthsavanga, Aropana, Flag Hoisting, Souramana Yugadi, and Rathotsava.

Is there any online portal available for Sevas and Rituals in Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple?

You can perform Poojas/Sevas using Credit Card, Debit Card, or online Bank Accounts through secured internet payment to the trust.

Is marriage halls also available in Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple?

Yes, through advance booking with the temple trust, one can book Private marriage halls in Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple.

Is there any restriction on female devotees before entering the temple?

Female devotees should not enter the temple for the first 5 days of their menstruation period.
Female devotees should not enter the temple when pregnant after six months or late.

Where should devotees contact for specific information about the temple?

Devotees can get more or specific information from the administrator, Hereditary Trustee or Temple Manager.

Are there any facilities available for the disabled and senior citizen Devotees?

Yes, the wheelchair is available for physical handicapped Devotees to enter comfortably seeking blessings from Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple.

Mangaladevi Temple Mangalore Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Mangaladevi Temple, dedicated to Goddess Adi Parashakti is in Mangalore, Karnataka. The city has its name after Mangalapura and eventually became famous as Mangalore or Mangaluru. People believe that worshipping Goddess Mangaladevi will grant you success and prosperity in any new ventures and will protect one against evil influences.

Mangaladevi Temple – Facts

DeityGoddess Mangaladevi
LocationMangalore, Karnataka
Entry FeeFree
Best Time to Visit October to March
Darshan Timings6:00 AM to 8:30 PM
PoojasPushpanjali Pooja, Devi Mahaatme Parayana, Rudra Abhishekam
FestivalsNavratri, Ugadi, Annual Temple Festival
Mangaladevi Temple, Mangalore, Video

What are the timings of Mangaladevi Temple?

Here are the darshan timings of the Mangaladevi Temple:

RitualsFromTo
Morning Darshan6:00 AM1:00 PM
Evening Darshan4:00 PM8:30 PM

There are several poojas that take place during the given darshan timings. Devotees can participate in these poojas during the timings mentioned below.

RitualsTiming
Morning Pooja6:00 AM
Afternoon Pooja1:00 PM
Evening Pooja8:30 PM

What are the poojas and sevas performed at Mangaladevi Temple?

Mangaladevi Temple Pooja
Thousands of devotees throng the temple to see the procession during the pooja.

A devotee can perform around 42 types of Poojas and Sevas in the Mangaladevi Temple Mangalore.

  • Devi Mahaatme Parayana: The priest recites the verses from the Devi Mahaatme, a set of hymns and shlokas describing the greatness of the Goddess.
  • Ashtotthara Archana: The priest recites 108 names of the Goddess along with the offering of the Kumkum on behalf of the devotee.
  • Thrishathi Archana: The priest recites 300 names of the Goddess in front of the Goddess on behalf of the devotee.
  • Pushpanjali Pooja: This includes decoration of the Goddess with flowers and recitation of shlokas in praise of her by offering flowers one by one on behalf of the devotee.
  • Thrimadhura Naivedyam: The priest offers Sugar, Honey, and Butter to the Goddess as Bhog or Naivedyam for the day on behalf of the devotee.
  • Panchamrutha Abhisheka: The priest bathes the deity with five holy “Amrit” or Nectar. They are Milk, Honey, Curd, Sugar, and Ghee.
  • Rudrabhishekam: The Pooja is for Lord Shiva who is worshipped as fire or Rudra. The puja wipes out all sins and purifies the atmosphere. It also removes all sorts of planetary related ill-occurrences. The Mondays of the month, as well as the Pradosham days, are ideal for performing the Pooja.
  • Ranga Pooja: This includes worshipping the Goddess with either 24 rows of Deepams or with 64 rows of Deepams on behalf of the devotee.
  • Naga Thambila: The priest bathes the deity Lord Subrahmanya, who is the “Protector of Snakes” with Panchamrit that is with milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar.

Wedding ceremonies also take place at the Mangaladevi Temple Mangalore Hall. For bookings check the official website of the temple, given below.

Some other Poojas include:

  • Vidyarambha: The couples with children of age 2 – 5 can perform the Seva as a start to the education of their children. The performing of this ritual is special because the presiding deity Sri Mangaladevi is the Goddess of intelligence and knowledge.
  • Sathyanarayana Pooja: The Pooja is for to Lord Vishnu. The Pooja can take place on any day but is extremely auspicious to perform it on the eve of Chithra Pournami. Devotees perform it to attain peace, prosperity, to remove obstacles and to be free from the negative thoughts. The Pooja usually begins with Ganapathi Pooja and then the Navagraha Pooja.
  • Chandika Yagna: The Chandika Homam requires the presence of 7 priests. They chant the 700 verses and hymns from the Devi Mahatmayam. Offerings of the Payasam (sweet pudding or Kheer) are made to Agni during the chantings.
  • Tulabhara Seva: This Seva includes the devotee sitting on one side of the Tula or the weighing balance. On the other side, offerings are arranged until the weight of the devotee and the offerings balance themselves. The offerings are then donated to the Temple.
  • Silver Palanquin Pooja: In this Pooja, the idol of the Goddess is taken around the temple premises in a silver palanquin and worshipped amidst chants and hymns.
  • Vahana Pooja: The devotees can also do the Vahana Pooja, in which new vehicles are decorated and the Goddess is worshipped to bless the journeys in them.
  • Dodda Rathotsava: The Goddess is taken around the Temple Complex in the big Chariot or Ratha on behalf of the Temple.

What is the significance of the Mangaladevi Temple?

Mangaladevi Shrine
The idol of Goddess Mangaladevi.

The significance of the Mangaladevi Temple is that the deity of the Mangaladevi Temple is a figure of the Goddess holding a Dharapatra and a Linga. The Linga symbolizes the destructive power of both Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti.  Devotees believe that the main shrine is as old as the Treta Yuga.

The Mangaladevi Temple’s historical importance resulted in the naming of the place itself as Mangalapura. In present times, the city of Mangalore gets its name from the Goddess of Mangalapura or Mangalore.

Mangaladhara Vrata is a unique ritualistic fast observed by the devotees of Goddess Mangaladevi. This Vrata is kept by maidens to find a suitable match for marriage for them. This Vrata is also called Swayamvara Parvathi.

What is the history of Mangaladevi Temple?

As per the history of Mangaladevi Temple, the origin of the Mangaladevi Temple runs back to a demon Vikhasini who was Hiranyakashyapu’s daughter. She waged a war against the Devaloka and Lord Indra. Though the demon army was strong, Indra defeated them in a fierce battle.

Hence, it shattered Vikhasini’s ambition of commanding the Devaloka and she realized that she needed God’s grace to enhance her powers.

She wanted a son with the Gods who would be highly powerful and competent enough to avenge Lord Vishnu and destroy him as revenge for Vikhasini’s father’s death. So She performed severe penance and gained the attention of Lord Brahma. Eventually, He asked her to wish for a boon. She wished for a son who would slay Lord Vishnu. Lord Brahma refused to state that the holy trinity is immortal. However, he said that she will attain a son from Lord Shiva who will be brave and invincible.

Narada and Lord Brahma visited Kailash and warned Lord Shiva of future developments. Lord Shiva along with Parvati, Lord Brahma, Narada, and Goddess Saraswati went to Vaikuntam and expressed their anger in front of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu however, calmed them by saying that everything will be rectified when the time comes.

Vikhasini disguised herself as Goddess Parvati and lured Lord Shiva into submission. After the act, she left for her kingdom and during the journey; she feared that the Devatas will harm her son. She asked Bhoodevi (Goddess Earth) and with her permission, buried her fetus inside the Earth. Eventually, as time passed, a great demon was born and was named Andasura by Vikhasini. She told Andasura about the fate of Hiranyakashyapa and asked him to seek revenge by killing Lord Vishnu.

The legend continues…

He attacked the Devaloka and destroyed anything that came in his path.  Then the holy trinity gathered and asked the Supreme mother, Adi Parashakti for help. She agreed to help her children and asked them for their weapons. So Lord Brahma gave his Danda, Lord Vishnu gave his Chakra and Lord Shiva gave his Trident to Goddess Adi Parashakti. She merged Lord Shiva’s power of destruction with her and acquired his third eye.

Meanwhile, Andasura roamed through the Devaloka in search of Lord Vishnu. Narada directed him to a place where Goddess Parashakti, disguised as a beautiful and captivating maiden was waiting for him. Seeing her, the demon came close to her and misbehaved. At an opportunistic moment, Goddess Adi Parashakti slew him with the trident.

She also addressed his children from the spot that in the Treta Yuga, “Lord Vishnu will incarnate as Parashurama and slay the 21 generations of evil Kshatriyas. He will retrieve the land from Lord Varuna and the spot where he will do penance will be where I killed Andasura. He will build a shrine with a Linga and a Dharapatra”.

After several centuries, the legend continues through Veerabahu, the king of Tulunadu. He did not have any son so he made Bangaraja as his successor. Bangaraja ruled his kingdom well and brought immense prosperity to the region. Goddess Mangaladevi appeared in his dreams and informed him that the shrine’s remains are there under a mound where the Nethravati and the Phalguni rivers intersect.

Bangaraja along with Saint Bharadhwaja rediscovered the shrine and constructed a small temple around it. However, nature took its course hid the temple amid abundant vegetation of the surrounding forests.

What is the architecture of the Mangaladevi Temple?

The Mangaladevi Temple architecture resembles a Kerala style of construction. Huge stones form the walls of the temple. Intricate carvings are also there on the inner walls of the Mandapam. The Gopuram has two stories. The area within the rectangular walls around the Temple is Kshetra – Madiluka. All the shrines are present inside this Kshetra.

The Dhwajasthambam is directly in front of the main entrance. A Deepasthamba is inside the temple complex with figures of the 8 Dwarapalikas around it. The Mangaladevi Temple also has a clean complex with all the modern facilities available to the pilgrims.

The origin of the Mangaladevi Temple has two different versions. Some believe that the 9th-century Ahepa King Kundavarman built the temple while others believe that Kundavarman just discovered a pre-existing temple and extended the shrine by building several additions. Some people believe the Ballal family of Attavar built the temple to commemorate a fallen Malabar princess.

The official website of the temple is: http://www.mangaladevitemple.com/

What is the dress code at Mangaladevi Temple?

The Mangaladevi Temple administration has not imposed any strict dress code. However, it is recommended to wear decent clothes in the temple premises. Shorts, miniskirts, and beachwear are to be avoided.

What are the festivals celebrated at Mangaladevi Temple?

Mangaldevi Temple Festival
The temple is lit up for the celebration of various festivals.

Some of the festivals celebrated at Mangaladevi Temple are:

  • Navratri: A large number of devotees visit the Mangaladevi Temple Mangalore from Karnataka and surrounding states to witness and receive the blessings of the Goddess. The Navarathri festival lasts for 9 days ending with Vijayadasami on the tenth day. The Lalita Panchami, Mahanavami Rathotsava, and Vijayadasami Vidyarambha are the special days during the Navratri period. The Chandika Homam, Ranga Pooja, and Rathotsava are the special poojas that take place for the Goddess Navami. Also, the practice of Vidyarambha meaning the “initiation of knowledge” for kids takes place on the Vijayadasami. Then the Sathyanarayana Pooja and the Avabrutha Mangal Snaan takes place on the two days after Vijayadasami. The Ayudha Pooja takes place on the eighth day of the festival when devotees worship all the weapons of the Goddess.
  • Laksha Deepothsava: The festival occurs in the month of Karthik that usually falls in November – December. Devotees light around one lakh lamps (Laksha Deepams) in honour of the Goddess and decorate the whole Temple with it.
  • Annual Temple Festival: The annual festival of the Mangaladevi Temple Mangalore begins in the month of March. Devotees perform several poojas and abhishekams for the Goddess. They also take the Utsava Moorthy or the idol around the Temple premises in different vehicles or Vahanas and worship it.

Besides these festivals, Ugadi, Mahashivaratri, and Ganesh Chaturthi are also important festivals in the Mangaladevi Temple Mangalore.

How to reach the Mangaladevi Temple?

Here’s how to reach Mangaladevi Temple:

  • Air: Mangalore connects to many places via Bajpe International Airport, at a distance of 10 km from the city centre.
  • Train: There are two main stations in Mangalore – Mangalore Junction and Mangalore Central.
  • Road: One can board buses from Bengaluru, Goa, Chennai, Karwar, Pune, and Mysore.

Where to stay near Mangaladevi Temple?

A large number of private hotels are available for accommodating pilgrims and tourists alike. The rooms may range from standard to AC suites in five-star hotels. A large number of Government offices also operate guest houses in the city which one can contact and book.

Mangalore is a coastal city and offers beautiful beaches. Hence, resorts are abundant here.

Where to eat near Mangaladevi Temple?

Mangalore is bustling with restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisines like Konkani, Seafood, Mughlai, North Indian, South Indian, Chinese, Italian, and Thai. Several popular food joints are Hotel Narayana for Seafood, Hotel Guthu for authentic local cuisine and chutneys for North Indian Vegetarian and Giri Manjas for Seafood.

What are some of the temples near Mangaladevi Temple?

How to reach Mangaladevi Temple
There are several beautiful temples in the city of Mangalore.

Some of the temples near Mangaladevi Temple are:

  • Kadri Manjunath Temple: The temple is about 4 km from the city centre. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Manjunathaswamy, a form of Lord Shiva. The temple is one of the most popular spots in Mangalore and dates back to 1068 AD. The idol of Lord Manjunathaswany is the oldest representation of Lord Shiva in South India. The hill behind the temple is home to the Jogimutt and the Pandava caves.
  • Shri Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple: The temple is for Lord Ganapathi and dates back to 800 years. The temple finds mention in several Puranas like the Sthalapurana. Further, Sri Dashabhuja Mahaganapati, Sri Sharabeshwara, and Siddhi Lakshmi are the presiding deities of the temple. Its legends also relate to the legendary Tipu Sultan and his conquest of Karnataka.
  • Gokarnanatheshwara Temple: The temple is for Lord Gokarnanatheshwara, another form of Lord Shiva and is in Kudroli, 5 km away from the city centre. The Saint Sri Narayana Guru consecrated the Shiva Linga at the temple in 1912. Several additions and renovations also took place recently. Moreover, the Gopuram is 60 feet high and has beautiful divine sculptures depicting several Gods and Goddesses.
  • Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple: The famous shrine dedicated to Sri Durga Parameshwari is in Kateel, 26 km from Mangalore. The temple is on the banks of the River Nandini. Several legends associate with the temple, which also finds mention in the Puranas themselves. Devotees can also perform sevas like Annadanam, Vidyarambha, and Yakshagana in the temple.
  • Kudupu Sri Anantha Padmanabha Temple: The temple is just 12 km away from the Mangalore city centre. The presiding deities are Lord Anantha (Lord Shiva) and Lord Padmanabha (Lord Vishnu). Moreover, the temple is famous for serpent worship. The deity, Sri Anantha Padmanabha faces west. The temple complex also consists of a Naga Bana (place for serpent worship) and several smaller shrines for Jarandaya, Goddess Shree Devi, Lord Subrahmanya and Lord Ganapathi.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mangaladevi Temple

Is the Mangaladevi Temple open throughout the year?

Yes, the Mangaladevi Temple is open all 365 days of the year.

What is the entry fee?

The entry to the Mangaladevi Temple is free of cost.

Is there any online darshan facility available?

No. There is no facility for online darshan available.

Is there any facility for specially-abled and senior citizens?

No. There is no facility for specially-abled and senior citizens.

What is the weather like during the summer?

The summers in Mangalore starts from April and continue until June. The summers here can be very hot and humid. Temperatures during the daytime often go up to 42 º C.

What are winters like in Mangalore?

In Mangalore, winters start in October and continue until March. The temperatures during this time range from around 20 º C to 30 º C. The weather during this time is warm and pleasant.

If you have any questions about the Mangaladevi Temple, please leave your comment below and we will get back to you within one hour.

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