Aneela Nike Post: Mahathobhara Sri Mangaladevi Temple

When you hear about Mangalore, Mangaladevi temple comes to mind. They are synonymous. Even to this day, the two major temples of Mangaladevi and Kadri in Mangalore maintain their spiritual 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 as a mark of respect. The city of Mangalore is named after the presiding deity goddess Mangaladevi. She is the main deity of the temple, built in the memory of the princess of Malabar, Mangale in the 10^th century. Mangala is worshipped as Shakti....

Mangalore is one of the prominent cities on the west coast of Karnataka, it 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 the Mangaloreans and others. Locals and Mangaloreans settled in different parts of Karnataka, India and other countries make it a point to visit, to pay their respects and pray for the well being of their family and loved ones. Visitors, tourists, ardent devotees and Mangaloreans from around the world and based in different parts of the country make it a point to visit and seek her blessings. She inspires the devotees who visit to the temple; the quiet and spiritual atmosphere is overwhelming.

The temple, though not huge by South Indian standards is small but well laid out, and is built in typical Kerala style of temple architecture, which is common in all temples in the neighboring state of Kerala, with most of its structure made of wood. The presiding deity, Mangaladevi in the central shrine is in a seated posture. There are shrines around the sanctum for other deities.

Legend:

According to local legend, a princess from Malabar named Parimala or Premaladevi renounced her kingdom and became a disciple of Matsyendranath, the founder of the Nath tradition. Having converted Premaladevi to the Nath sect, Matsyendranath renamed her Mangaladevi. She arrived in this place with Matsyendranath, but had to stay back near Bolar in Mangalore as she fell ill on the way. Eventually she died, and the Mangaladevi temple was consecrated in her honour at Bolar by the local people after her death.

The temple dates back to the ninth century, when Kundavarma, the ruler and king of the Alupa dynasty was ruling the region known as Tulu Nadu, which means the land of the Tuluvas. During this period two holy men, respected saints of the Nath cult, Machhendranath and Goraknath, had arrived all the way 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 center of learning of the sage Kapila.

On hearing about the arrival of the two holy men, the king proceeded to meet them. Introducing himself as the king of the region known as Tulu Nadu, paid 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 center for their religious activities under his royal protection and patronage. The ancient wisdom and history narrated, impressed the king. He then learnt 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. As a child, through his 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 to the shrine.

King Kundavarma obediently 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 to unmarried women, who worshiped the goddess by observing Mangaladharavrata, and she fulfilled their wish of a suitable match for the unmarried women. A lot of ardent female devotees visit the temple to seek her blessings. Fridays see a large number of devotees and the temple is crowded with people offering special pujas and other offerings for the Goddess.

Even to this day, the two major temples of Mangaladevi and Kadri nearby maintain their spiritual connection. The hermits of Kadri Yogirajmutt visit Mangaladevi temple on the first day of Kadri temple festival and offer prayer and silk clothes to the deity. Mangalore is named after the presiding deity Mangaladevi. She is the main deity of the temple, built in the memory of the princess of Malabar, Mangale in the tenth century. Mangala is worshipped as Shakti. Mangaloreans have great faith in her, and whenever in Mangalore locals make it a point to pray for their, as well as the well being of the near and dear ones. And devotees also come to thank the deity on their wish being fulfilled. The temple has retained the old-world charm which give the devotees a special spiritual feeling.

Kadri Manjunath temple

Apart from the devotees, many tourists and people from other parts of Karnataka and all over India come to pray and pay their respects. People donate in cash and kind and also present silk saris to the deity for special pujas to be performed on their behalf. These are adorned on the deity on certain days. One has to book a day months in advance as a lot of devotees from Mangalore and outside offer silk saris for the deity. Normally on Fridays a large number of devotees come to pray. The temple is crowded and its like a festival. The temple is administered and well managed by a trust.

Festivals:

Chariot of Mangaladevi:

On the occasion of Navaratri during Dussera, special pujas are performed on all nine days. On the seventh day, goddess Mangaladevi is worshiped as Sharadamba and on the eighth day, the goddess is worshiped as Maarikamba. On this day Aayuda puja is performed. All weapons and tools are worshiped 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 worshiped and then taken back in great pomp and festivity. The noisy and animated crowd, young and old and tourists gather, cheer the deity all the way.

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 a little distance away.

How to reach the temple:

The temple is situated at 3 km from the heart of Mangalore city (Hampankatte) and Mangalore railway station. Buses plying on this route are available. Auto rickshaws are also available from the station and the city center.

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2 comments:

Ashwin26 December 2017 at 17:49
Well written about Mangaladevi Temple. Thanks for posting about this wonderful place in this blog. This is a nice place to visit in Mangalore. If your are planning for your trip, then book your bus tickets in Sugama Travels to enjoy your trip.
Vidya Bhat29 April 2020 at 09:04
Very interesting information. We have visited godess mangaladevi temple to seek her blessings & found it a very serene place.

Tuesday, 5 March 2013

Mahathobhara Sri Mangaladevi Temple

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