Bappanadu Durga Parameshwari Temple

The temple has a history of over 800 years. Bappanadu simply means 'Bappa's village'. It is believed that, Bappa Beary, a Muslim merchant was responsible for the construction of Goddess Durga Parameshwari temple here. Since then the place is known as 'Bappanadu' and the first honorary prasadam of the annual rath festival is offered to the successors of Bappa Beary family every year.

Sri Durga Parameshwari Temple at Bappanadu is one of the important seats of Shakti worship in Dakshina Kannada district. Here the main deity is in the form of Linga (symbolic statue). Bappanadu Durga Parameshwari temple has been regarded as a symbol of communal harmony as devotees from all faiths visit to offer prayers here.

Bappanadu's Dolu (musical drum) is well known and a large drum can be found in the temple premises. During annual rath yatra festival, the members of the community are allowed to participate in beating of the drums which is done with great enthusiasm and devotion. This festival comes in the day of Meena Masa Shuddha Chathurdhashi and celebrated for eight days with an unique feature on each day.

Location: This temple is situated on the banks of river Shambhavi at Bappanadu village in Mulki town. The main deity of this temple is Goddess Shree Durga Parameshwari. As per the legend Bappa a Muslim merchant had built the temple. Annual festival (Brahma Rathotsava) of the temple falls in the month of April. It is located close to the highway on the way to Udupi.

Mythology: As per the folklore, there was a demon called Darigasura ruling Shonitapura. He had an enmity with Devatas and Lord Vishnu. Antagonised and with the intention of defeating the Devatas and Lord Vishnu, he worshipped Lord Brahma and received a boon. And with the help of this boon he defeated Devatas and Lord Vishnu, and snatched the weapons from Lord Vishnu and handed over it to his wife, and told her to keep it safely in their place of worship. While Lord Vishnu was mourning the loss and for his lost weapons, Goddess Durgaparameshwari appeared before him in the form of seven women, Sapta-Durgas and promised to kill the demon. These Sapta-Durgas went to Shonitapura accompanied by a deity called Guliga. Bhagavathi one of the Sapta-Durgas appeared before demon Darigasura while he was on the way to take a bath in the river; in a disguised form of a poor old woman, and begged for a meal. Darigasura suggested her to go to the palace and ask for a meal from his wife. And also told her to inform him, if she isn't given a meal there. Accordingly Goddess Bhagavathi visits the palace of Darigasura and meets his wife, but instead asks for the weapons of Lord Vishnu to be returned. The wife of Darigasura refuses to return the weapon as her husband had instructed her to keep in safe custody. However as told, Bhagavathi informs Darigasura about her refusal, but doesn't mention about the weapons and, that his wife is not willing to give her a meal.

Hearing this Darigasura instructs his wife to give Bhagavathi whatever she wished. Darigasura's wife gives her the weapons of Lord Vishnu without further enquiry. Later realizing that he was deceived by Goddess Bhagavathi,  Darigasura gets furious and decides to challenge the Sapta-Durgas and attacks them. He defeats deity Guliga in a fight. But after seven days of furious fighting Darigasura is defeated by Sapta-Durgas and ultimately he flees and seeks refuge in  the underworld.

Goddess Bhagavathi taking the form of Bhadra-Kali begins to search for him. As Darigasura arrives to perform pooja to Lord Shiva in the late evening, Bhadra-Kali finds him and slays him. Bhagavathi then accompanied by her other sister goddesses and deity Guliga, visit Lord Vishnu and request for a boat made of sandalwood for a journey from Vaikunta (heaven) to Bhooloka (earth) with an intention of settling down in Bhooloka for betterment of earthly people. 

Lord Vishnu permits them to take a sandalwood tree from Vaikunta for preparing a boat. Accordingly they make a boat and commence their journey. The boat reaches Bhooloka and crosses Kasaragod, Kumble, Uppala, Pattattur, Manjeshwara, Udyavara, Ullala and Kudroli in the coastal region, close to present day Mangaluru in Karnataka. From there they arrive at Sasihithlu near Mulki town. Here, Bhagavathi accepts a tender coconut from a devotee, and wishes to settle there. Goddess Durgaparameshwari emerged symbolically in confluence of two rivers, Shambhavi and Nandini at Mulki border.

In due course, a Muslim merchant, Bappa Beary while sailing through Shambhavi river with an intention of trading in remote places; his boat suddenly stops in the middle of the river. While examining the cause of stoppage, he finds blood floating on the surface of the river and he fears for the worst. He is worried and suddenly he hears a divine voice ordering him  to construct a temple with the help of Mulki Sawantha (king) and to conduct regular pooja with the help of Baila Udupa ( local priest). Mulki Sawantha was a Jain and a good ruler. Hearing about the incident and the divine command, from Bappa Beary, the king agrees and builds a temple with the contribution of many other donors and makes Baila Udupa as the chief priest of the temple. Hence the temple came to be known as Bappanadu Kshetra.

The temple has the features of 14th century architectural style in the main sanctum, pedestal etc. In 1333-35 AD, an African traveller Vilban Batoota who visited India wrote that some of the Muslims in the region (Mangalore and Mallika town) were following Hindu traditions. But the region he mentioned  cannot be confirmed with Mulki, as there is a vast difference in geographical features described by him.

As believed by the locals, Bappa a Muslim merchant had played an important role in the construction of the temple. But no evidence confirming the role of the Bappa Beary in the construction of the temple is documented or available. Whether Bappa was a Muslim or he was a Bapa Pai (a Saraswath Brahmin) or he was a follower of Jain faith is still a subject of research. The name Bappa also appears in one copper plate inscription (1607 AD) available in Kotageri Jain Basadi in which it is said " Moose Kavi son-in-law offered Varaha 113 on this Kunhappagu to Bappa ". 

However, we can assume that Muslims have a major role in this temple activity as it is mentioned in one recently found inscription of Hanjaman (Association of Muslim merchants). Also there are two inscriptions on either side of the temple. Though one is completely damaged, another inscription is pertaining to the era of 1411 AD and is belongs to Tedi. While verifying the words mentioned in this inscription, we can strongly presume that in the history of temple many non-Brahmins also participated in the activity of the temple.

Bappanadu Dolu (Drum): 

Beating of the drums during annual festival of the temple is an important part of the celebration. Bappanadu Dolu is well known all over Karnataka. One can't compare these drums with other drums of temples elsewhere in Karnataka. Beating of the drums when local rulers and landlords are visiting the temple during festivals is an age-old tradition. During annual festival a certain group of people of the community are given the task to participate in beating of the drums.  This is considered as a service to the deity and the persons play the drum with great enthusiasm and devotion. 

Temple authorities pay a certain amount of honorarium to these drum beaters. It's a beautiful sight, of this drum beating being performed by the beaters accompanied by their family members and community. As a symbol of the of the drums, temple authorities have made a big size drum and hanged it near the main entrance.

Annual Festival occasions:

1. Dwajarohana (Holy Flag hoisting) - on the day of Meena Masa Shuddha Chathurdhashi.
2. Bali Utsava & Ayana Deepotsava - Second day
3. Pete Sawari - Third day
4. Koppala Sawari - Fourth day
5. Bakimaru Deepotsava - Fifth day
6. Kere Deepotsava - Sixth day
7. Morning Car Festival, Night Chandra Mandala, Shayanotsava - Seventh day
8. Kawata Inauguration, Night rather festival - Eight day

How to reach temple:
From Mangalore there are plenty of buses and taxis available for Mulki and Udupi. The distance between Mangalore to Bappanadu is about 29 km. Since the temple is situated near the Udupi Mangalore Highway, it is very convenient for devotees and tourists to reach the temple by taking the buses or taxis and getting down at Mulki or Bappanadu. 

Also read: 

Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple

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