About

Halekote Shree Marigudi - Mahishamardini Temple is an ancient temple that date backs to 1400 years back. The uniqueness of this temple is that it houses 2 deities - Mahishamardini & Marigudi, which is only temple in Dakshina Kannada of such practice.

As per history, it is learnt that Mahishamardini was worshipped by brahmin. Since they failed to offer worship to the deity regularly, it was later taken to the "Bhandara House" to continue the worship. Later divine power of deity Mariyamma too got united with the Mahishamardini. Hence the practice of worshiping 2 deities came inot existence which is continued till date.

Mahishamardini had paani peetha, but Marigudi didn't have her own. The deities idol was placed very close to each other Maha tangi katte, Rashikatte & Ranakamba are in line of sight of Mariyamma. Here one can find the symbol of foot which symbolises the presence of her 3 aides - Mahatangi, Mayarana & Dhootha. Also Raja Guliga resides in this premises.

Also nearby to temple, there is Ashwatha Katta where Yakshini has been housed. Later Mahishamardhini was bought to the temple from Bhandara House with "Yallamma" being housed at the vacated Bhandara House along with Panjurli & Lord Naga.

Regarding the shrine, it is said that the prasada taken in the form of turmeric powder, from this temple and applied on the body of those suffering from chicken pox, is cured immidiately. After 14 days, the person is asked to sit in front of the mantap, and sprinkled with the teertha. This is beleived to be the glory of Mariyamma. It is believed that prayers of those person who are lagging behind in studies and for those unmarried are blessed by the deity.

Rana Kambha

Rana Kambha has a history of more than 1000 years. Earlier it is said that, there were instances of buffallo arriving at Rankambha after untying the knot, which Mariyamma had desired to slaughter. But since 40 years, this practice has been abolished at the temple.

Temple remains open to devotees from 09:00 AM in the morning to 01:00 in the afternoon, & from 05:00 in the evening till 08:30 at night.

On Fridays:

On Fridays, temple will remain open from 09:00 in the morning to 01:30 in the afternoon & from 05:00 in the evening till 09:00 at night.

Devotees please note that temple will remain open the whole day on the auspicious days.

Pooja's on every Tuesday's & Friday's:

Special pooja sevas such as Shodhasha Pooja & Maha Mangalarathi are held at the temple on all tuesdays & Fridays with more than 75 female devotees perform Lalitha Sahasranamarchane. At the same time diety Nahatangi is offered tender cocnut water & honey as naivedhya.

Shuddha Panchami Pooja:

On Panchami tithi of every month, Panchamrutha Abhisheka, Naga Tambila sevas are offered at Naga Sanidhya at Bhandara House. Also Nagara Panchami is celebrated on Shukla Panchami of Shravana.

Sankranti:

On the day of Sankranti's of Vrashabha, Tula, Karkataka & Makara, special pooja rituals are held with Durga Namaskara to Shri Devi, Tambila Seva at Guliga Sanidhya.

Festival of the month:

Vardhanti Utsava is held on the day of Shuddha Ashtami of Vrashabha. On this day, special pooja of Kalashabhisheka, Ranga Pooja and Mari Pooja ta Mari Katte is held on the same night. On that day, rice is prepared from 100 Kgs of grain. The rice dosa along with 25 Kg of rice & 25 Kgs of gems are placed on Rashi Katta which is followed by the celebration of Shri Devi Utsava which is known as "Mryadisuva Seva". Nearly 2000 devotees are offered Anna Santarpana at the temple.

Sharavana Shuddha Panchami:

On this day, Nagara Panchami is celebrated at Naga Sanidhya of Bhandara House. On this day Naga Tambila Sevas & Panchamrutha Abhisheka are performed.

Vara Mahalakshmi Pooja:

On the second Friday of Shravana Maasa, Abhisheka Naivedhya with pooja are held at the temple. At 10 'O Clock, hundreds of female devotees perform Lalitha Sahasranamarchane with Brahmin's offering Naivedhya with Pooja. Bhajana programme is performed by the female devotees in the evening which is followed by Arathi & Maha Mangalarathi.

Ganahoma:

Ganahoma is performed on the day of Shukla Chowthi of Bhadrapadha with Navedhya is offered in the form of Panchakajjaya which is later distributed to all the devotees.

Navaratri:

Navaratri comences from Ashweeja Padya which lasts till Dashami for 10 days. On the first day of Navaratri Jabhisheka & Naivedhya is offered to the Devi. Panchamrutha Abhisheka & Payasa Naivedhya is performed after the afternoon's pooja. Kopparige pooja, Bali pooja re performed during this period. Special poojas are performed on the days after Paadya. Rathothsava, Vidarambha Pooja is held on the day of Dashami with devottes performing Maha Pooja & Kadiru Pooja at Rashi Katte.

Tulasi Pooja:

Tulasi Pooja is performed on Uttana Dwadashi at Bhandara House.

Maha Chandika Homa:

Chandika Homa is performed on the day of Makara Sankranthi which is followed by Annasantarpana to all the devotees.

Pooja performed at the temple

Naga Tambila:

Usually Naga Tambila Sevas are performed on the day of Panchami with the presence of large number of devotees. On this day devotees offer Beaten Rice, banana, jaggery pieces, etc placed on 3 no's of banana leaf to Lord Naga.