Shree Mahalasa Narayani Temple, Konchady

Mangalore, situated on the west coast of South India,is famous for its natural and cultural heritage. Situated at Konchady (Padavinangady) about 6kms, from the heart of the Mangalore city, is Shree Mahalasa Narayani Temple whose establishment and rise to glory may be rightly termed as a shining example of the confluence of the wishes of devotees and grace of God. The path along which the temple has travelled in the last two decades is itself a witness to this. This temple is located in the premises of Konchady Shri Kashi Math,a branch of Shri Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi.The ownership of the temple is vested with Sri Kashi Math Samsthan,whose Matadhipati Srimad Sudheendra Theertha Swamiji has always showered his divine blessings on the temple and has gracioulsy guided and supervised the different religious ceremonies held in the temple and also other development works. For more than two decades, this temple has been an auspicious and holy place for Goddess Shree Mahalasa Narayani’s innumerable devotees living in India as well as abroad. Kulavis and devotees gather in huge numbers to celebrate the main annual events like Brahmarathotsava, Navaratri and Prathishta Vardanthi Utsava. This official website of the temple, contains all the information related to the temple’s history, festivals celebrated, management committee, future projects and some beautiful photo galleries depicting the splendour of Goddess Sri Mahalasa Narayani.

History of Shree Mahalasa Narayani Temple Every historic event begins with small things.The worship of Shree Mahalasa Narayani Devi was being conducted in the house of Shree Nagesh Kamath, a resident of Mangalore. Shree Kamath, on account of his extreme devotion, used to go into a trance,or rather used to be possessed by Shakti Purusha on some occasions. On one such occasion,Shakti Purusha directed the devotees present to construct a temple for the Devi and hand over the superintendence and management of the temple to Shri Kashi Math Samsthan. At the time, during the possession, Shakti Purusha foretold that not only will the temple be a centre of worship for devotees from all over the country, but for devotees living abroad as well.This sooth-saying has today taken a beautiful form. Sometime later, Shree Nagesh Kamath had to vacate the premises where he lived, due to unavoidable circumstances.The devotees then met at the residence of Shree Kasturi Mangesh Pai and well-known astrologer Shree Kadri Srinivasa Shenoy was requested for further guidance. Shree Shenoy predicted that the temple would become a famous temple and bless the devotees living in the country and abroad.He also suggested that the proposal for building the temple be placed at the feet of our most respected gurus at the earliest. According to this direction, members of the committee, Sarva Shree Kasturi Mangesh Pai, Basti Ramanath Shenoy, M. Ramesh Kamath and Maroor Vittala Pai proceeded to Karkala where His Holiness Shrimad Sudheendra Theertha Swamiji was camping and submitted before Swamiji all that did happen thus forth. Shri Sudheendra Theertha Swamiji who is the manifest form of God of our community, accepted the request of building the temple of Shree Mahalasa Narayani, and blessed the devotees that the land adjacent to the Konchady Shree Venkatramana Temple where 40 years ago the Mahayagya of Veda Maatha Gayatri was performed, is the sacred place for building the temple of Shree Mahalasa Narayani Devi. Till the construction of the temple, Shree Swamiji directed the devotees to place the idol of Shree Mahalasa Narayani and parivara deities in a room of Shri Kashi Math, Konchady. Strengthened by the blessings of Shree Swamiji, the devotees proceeded further and on Magha Bahula Chaturthi, 09-02-1985 Saturday,at 12.19 p.m. Vrishabha Lagna being the auspicious Muhurtha,the foundation of the temple in the form of Nidhikalasha was laid by the divine hands of His Holiness Srimad Sudheendra Theertha Swamiji. The making of the idol and its consecration: For making of the idol, guidance was sought by astrology. A session of ‘Prasna’ was held in the presence of Shrimad Sudheendra Theertha Swamiji during their camp at Koteshwar, astrologer Shree Padubidri Devi Sharma officiated the proceedings. It was learnt that a “Kala”(divine part) of the Goddess Shree Mahalasa Narayani of Mardol, Goa had already left for Konchady to settle there and bless the devotees. As directed by Shree Swamiji and under the guidance of Shree Devi Sharma, it was decided that the idol of Shree Mahalasa Narayani Devi shall be 2 feet and 9 inches in height and be standing on lotus leaf (Instead of her traditional vehicle - Shardoola). It was decided to entrust the work of carving of the idol and also the construction of the temple to a well known temple architect of South India, Shree K.S.Acharya. Thus a beautiful temple was constructed. The original idols of Shree Mahalasa Narayani and Shree Bhadra Narasimha which was formerly in Nagesh Kamath’s house were now placed on the elevated ‘Peetha’(Pedestal) in the sanctum sanctorum, and the idol of Shree Mahalasa Narayani was placed at a lower level on the Pani Peetha. Idol of Shree Bhuvaneshwari was placed on the left side of the Sanctum Sanctorum, idol of Shree Vigneshwara was consecrated on the right hand side. Ullalthi and Naga were placed on a Katte (elevated platform) in front of the temple and ganas Annappa Daiva, Panjurli, Satya Devathe, Jala Purusha and Shakti Purusha were established to the left of the temple. On 25.11.1987 at night, the idol of Shree Mahalasa Narayani was brought in a glorious procession from Maryhill to temple premises. Citizens of Konchady and members of our community participated in the event that has remained memorable. The historic day for Konchady Shree Mahalasa Narayani temple was 30.11.1987. It was Prabhava Samvatsara, Margashira month, Shuddha Dashami, Monday, the idol of the mother of universe Shree Mahalasa Narayani was consecrated by the divine hands of most revered Shrimad Sudheendra Theertha Swamiji according to Vedic rites. As per the directions given by the Grama Purusha (Oracle) of the Moola Samsthana at Mardol in Goa, eleven gold coins (varaha) were offered to the Devi on behalf of Moola Samsthan. Eleven kinds of sweets were served at the Maha Samaradhane on account of Moola Smasthana.

Programme after consecration: The first anniversary of Pratishta was performed on 18.11.1988. To commemorate the event, members of our community offered a golden necklace consisting of 108 gold coins. This was offered to the deity on 11.12.1988 through the divine lotus hands of Shreemad Sudheendra Theertha Swamiji. The seventh pratishta vardhanthi was celebrated on 23.12.1993, Thursday when Maha Vishnu Yaga was performed in the divine presence of Shreemad Sudheendra Theertha Swamiji. Between 1995 and 1998, the vacant land adjoining the temple was purchased from Shree G.Vasudev Kamath, for constructing archakas quarters and rooms for pilgrims. A shed for the Brahmaratha, roofing on three sides of the temple was also completed during this period. All the infrastructure works were completed at a total cost of Rs.55 lakhs. The temple also purchased land adjoining the road and developed it at a cost of seven lakh rupees and made it fit for the Samaradhanas on the Annual Prathishta Vardhanthi and Rathotsava (Car Festival). Tenth anniversary celebration and consecration of the Ratha(Temple Car): On 01.11.1997 on the occasion of 10th anniversary of the Prathishta this temple which was bearing a place where innumerable devotees and Kulavis sought the deity’s grace, it was felt that a Ratha should be constructed. Srimad Sudheendra Swamiji’s blessings came as a support for this venture. The construction of the Ratha was entrusted to famous Ratha Sculptor of Koteshwar, Sri Laxminarayana Achar. Timber logs required for the Ratha was purchased under the guidance of Sri Dayananda Rao, a pioneer in timber log selection with an experience of over 70 years. He also guided us in obtaining the required permits and other papers, and the work of constructing the Ratha according to the Agama and Shilpa Shastras was taken up. Rathas are constructed in different aya-measures and dimensions. The Ratha for the temple was constructed to conform to Dhwajaya as per thr guidance of our revered Guru.During the construction the measurement of the Ratha of Sri Veera Venkatesha, the grama deity of Mangalore and those of the Ratha at Moola Samsthana at Mardol was kept in mind, and the work was completed in thirty (30) months. Friezer depicting events in Ramayana and Mahabharata and relating to the Goddess Shree Mahalasa Narayani have been beautifully and most artistically sculpted. This Ratha, having six wheels is considered as Brahma Ratha. Even as the construction of Ratha was going on,complementary requirements such as new palanquin(Pallaki) Utsava Bimba (Procession idol) Dhwaja Stambha etc were taken up. The silver palanquin work was taken up at Koteshwara, and the 11” high processional idol made of Panchaloha(alloy of 5 metals) was cast in the workshop of Sri Gopala Natesan of Bangalore. Blessings of our revered Guru’s guidance was obtained for all these works. According to the permission and blessings of Shree Swamiji, the Gramotsava of the Utsava Bimba and silver palaki was held on 9.3.2001 and on 12.3.2001, the new Bimba Pratishta and offereing of the silver palanquin was made in Mithuna Lagna. The day, 19.03.2001, was an unforgettable day in the history of the temple. It was the first day of first Samvatsara of 21st century on which day at 10.12 a.m. Vrishabha Lagna, the newly constructed Brahmaratha was consecrated and Rathotsava of the deity were celebrated with great pomp and splendour. In connection with this, the celebration began on Chaitra Shuddha Dwitiya. Various religious programs were conducted upto Chaitra Shuddha Shashti and concluded with Avabritha on Saptami. Thus the first Brahma Rathotsava of Sri Kashi Math Samsthan was celebrated. This is an event which could be recorded in golden letters in the annals of Sri Kashi Math Samsthan. For the celebration of the second Brahmarathotsava, Dhwaja Stambha with copper plate covering was consecrated, the Silver Garuda and silver covering for the two images of Ganapathi on the Rata were made and offered. On 25.4.2004 and 26.04.2004, Laksha Pushparchane (worship with one lakh flowers) were performed at Shree Venkatramana Temple and Shree Mahalasa Narayani Temple respectively, Aikyamatha Sooktha Havana and the rare event of Pallaki Utsava of the two deities were held and special Vasant Pooja was conducted with great pomp. Needless to say, all these program were conducted with the grace and blessings of our revered Guru. Sahasra Poorna Chandra Darshana and Chaturmasya Vrita of our Guru: The celebration of our revered Guru’s Sahasra Poorna Chandra Darshana is a rare event which has not occurred in the past 200 years of Gowda Saraswath Brahmins, and it was divine fortune that all of us could see and celebrate the sacred ritual. This celebration commenced on 28.01.2007 and continued for five days upto 01.02.2007 with great zeal and pomp. The large number of devotees and community members witnessed this occasion and were blessed by the H.H.Swamiji. Srimad Samyameendra Thirtha Swamiji, the Patta Shishya of Srimad Sudheendra Thirtha Swamiji, graced the occasion which was held in the Konchady Kashi Math. The co-operation of the samaja bandhavas on this occasion is most memorable. It was the desire of the community members that our most revered Guru Srimad Sudheendra Theertha Swamiji should camp in Konchady itself and observe the Chaturmasya. The management committee of both the temple submitted a Binnavattale (letter of request) and prayed that the Swamiji grant their wishes.The Swamiji graciously accepted the request and consented to perform the Chaturmasya in Konchady and gave His blessings which indeed was the result meritorious deeds of residents. For 92 days, Swamiji engaged himself in a continous worship, conducting satsang and cultural programme,blessing the residents of Mangalore, after a long period of forty one (41) years and granted to the people the happy opportunity to witness the event and be fortunate. Sahasra Kumbha Kanakabhisheka Sanatana samskriti has a great religious tradition, spiritual height, prosperous wisdom, great Rishis and Munis who gave up the company of all for realizing this, on account of all these, innumerable religious rites have been performed in India for the good of the entire world. Hence Shree Kashi Math of Konchady prepared itself for another rare religious celebration.Pradhana Kalashabhisheka to the Goddess by H.H.Shrimad Sudheendra Thirtha Swamiji On the sacred occasion of the celebration of the 21st Pratishta Vardanthi of Shree Mahalasa Narayani Devi, the co-operation of Kulavis and Devotees and with the combining of their devotion and faith, a historical ritually sanctified “Tirthodaka Kumbastha Swarnapavanasahita Sahasra Kumbha Kanakabhisheka" was performed according to Tantra Sara Agama by the divine hands of most revered Shrimad Sudheendra Thirtha Swamiji on 08-12-2008.

Maha Mangalarati to the Goddess by H.H.Shrimad Sudheendra Thirtha Swamiji on the eve of Sahasra Kumbha Kanakabhisheka This immortal event, by the grace of Shree Mahalasa Narayani Devi, the blessings of our Guru, and the great co-operation of the kulavis and devotees of Shree Devi, became first such historical event in the history of Shree Kashi Math.