About

History of the area

Kadri Shri Manjunatha temple is situated 4 kms away from the densely populated area of Mangalore, in a rural atmosphere. This old/ancient temple is surrounded by a picturesque scene of natural beauty.

The chief deity of this temple is Manjunatha. ‘Yogi Mata’, which is situated at the east of the temple and the ‘Caves’ which are situated on the hilltop, attract various tourists, who visit throughout the year. At the north of the temple there are seven ‘Kundas’ ( ponds ), consisting of holy water. At the North –East of the area, holy water flows out of a small tunnel, designed as a cow’s head, known as ‘Gomukha Teertha’ . The holy water is said to be flowing in from ‘Holy Kashi’, as River Ganges, also known as ‘Bhagirathi Teertha’.

History of temple

The history of this place is known to be mentioned in the epic ‘Bharadwaja Samhite’. The place where this temple is situated was previously known as ’Suvarna Kadali Vana’.

History of temple based on history of the area

After donating everything to ‘Brahmanas’, Parashurama started meditating to please Lord Shiva. Parameshwara was pleased by his devotion and said, “Hey Parashurama, I abide at Rasakoopa which is in Suvarna Kadali Vana. Go and offer your prayers for me there”. But, at that time Suvarna Kadali Vana was immersed in the ocean. Parashurama, with his divine powers, brought it out of the ocean and worshipped at Rasakoopa for a long time. At last the ‘Thrimurthies’, combined their divine powers and took the form of ‘Sri Manjunatha’ and fulfilled Parashurama’s desire. We can see in chapter 9th of Bharadwaja Samhitha that many miracles occurred and were noticed after the rise of ‘Sri Manjunatha’.

The ’Sapthakoti Mahamanthra’ of seven Corer holy hymns, converted by themselves into the seven holy kundas(ponds). ‘ Shiva Pushkarni ‘ is the most popular among them. At the same time, the holy Ganges i.e., Bhagirathi teertha started to flow from north east side of the temple.

Swayambhoo Lingodhbhava

In the history of the place, they have explained the advents of well-known saints viz., Mathsyendranatha, Gorakshanatha & Chowranginatha. It has been explained, in the books that, Mathsyendranatha, an incarnation of Lord Shiva came to ‘Swarna Kadali Vana’ while returning from Sathi Rajya along with queen Mangala, an incarnation of Goddess Parvathi and his favourite disciple/student Gorakshanatha. There they were welcomed by the remaining disciples.

At that time, Mathsyendranatha, decided to establish one ‘Shiva lingam’ in Suvarna Kadali Vana. So he told his disciple to go to Kashi and bring a ‘Shiva Lingam’. But, Gorakshanatha couldn’t bring the Shiva Lingam at the specified time. So, Mathsyendranatha started meditating. As a fruit of his meditation and to the surprise and happiness of all the saints there emerged a ‘Shiva Lingam’ at that place. After this, the Shiva Lingam, which was brought by Gorakshanatha from Kashi was of no use. So, instead it was kept near the holy water.

After a long time, the deity ‘Annappa Daiva’ took the Shiva Lingam to ‘Dharmasthala’. It was established there by Udupi’s Sri Vadirajaswami. So, Kadri temple has become an important and main temple for Dharmasthala. In Upasamhara’s chapters Yathi Bharadwaj praised the abilities of the devotees who worshipped Manjunatha at Suvarna Kadali Vana.

Festivals In Kadri Manjunatha Temple

Sowramana ugadhi:

On this day, regular pooja will be held in the morning. In the evening vegetables will be kept in front of god. Mahapooja will be done & new Panchanga will be kept, pooja will be done & Pachanga will be recited & again god will be kept in the, same place & next day early morning god's idol will be taken to the sanctuary & later vegetables (Kani) will be removed & panchanga’s will be recited.

Day of Bhramhakalasha:

In 2006 Vyshak shudh Panchami day Bhramhakalasha had been conducted to god so in rememberance of that day yearly Samuhika Shatha Rudrabisheka will be done & it is done at 12.00 in the afternoon.

Patta naje:

On the day of Diwali god’s regular 3 times (morning 8.oo, afternoon at 12.00 & night at 8.00). Circumambulation will be started on Diwali & will be continued till the month of may till the date of Patanaje (May 22 or 24). On that day Vasantha Pooja will be held grandly & circumambulation will be ended.

Nagarapanchami:

On the day of Nagarapanchami the devotees of the place offer pooja to Nagadeva.Devotus will offer Milk and panchamratha for Nagadeva which is situated inside the premises of Manjunatha temple

Rugupakarma:

On this day at morning 8.30 kalasha pooja will be offered to god.After the pooja. Priest will perform upakarma Homa & change the holy thread of the temple priest, Bhramanas & vatu.

Krishna Janmastami:

On the day of Krishna Janmastami, evening at 5 O’clock the members of samithi will take the sandalwood Krishna statue in procession to Gopala Krishna Mata at kadri kambala & perform pooja on that day.

Mosaru kudike:

Next day at six o’clock Krishna statue will be brought back in procession along with different tablos, Dolukunitha, Karga Nrithya & other entertainment. As the imbibe of Krishna, breaking of pot will be done which is tied to the poll on the way & celebrate the festival grandly.

Shri Ganesha chathurthi:

In the morning at 9.00 O’clock 108 coconuts Ganahoma will start & end at 12.00 clock. Special kadubu along with sugar cane inside that by adding Coconut & Arecanut by keeping modaka & panchagajjaya will be offered to God. This Ganahoma will be celebrated in Mass. The cost is Rs.100/- per pooja.

Navarathri:

On the first day of Navarathri by doing punyarchane to Devi then koppparige muhurtha will be conducted for Devi. After doing Panchamrutha Abhisheka pooja will be done. After the hyms in the evening Rangapooja will be done to devi. Rangapooja will be held for nine days. Samuhika chandikahoma will be conducted on Durgashtami (mass) day. Rs.120/- for Chandikahoma. On Navamiday night bajana programs will end. Next day Kopparige will be removed after the Mahapooja in the Afternoon. After kadri Mataadhipathi will distribute the NavaDhanya Prasad & the Navarathi festival will come to an end.

Narakachathurdashi:

On the day of Deepavali at night Balindra will be welcomed by offering beaten rice. Pradakshina of god will be taken after Matadipathi does Mahapooja. From that day Balipradakshina will start again on Pathanaje it will continue for six months. On 1st, 2nd, 3rd day of Deepavali god statue will be taken to Kadri Mata Katte via procession and pooja will be performed and later bali pradarshana will be performed.

Karthika Somavara:

Karthika Somavara is the good day to worship Shiva. So in that Masa on all monday Shatha Rudrabhisheka which is the favourite pooja of Shiva will be done by the help of devotees. Cost of this seva is Rs.300/- This seva is done at 12 in the afternoon.

Laksha Deepothsava:

On that day, Morning as well as in the afternoon Mahapooja will be done to God. Also for God Ayyappa, Siyala Abhisheka(tender coconut) will be done. Annasantharpane will be done after Mahapooja. In the night mud lamps will be lit inside & outside the temple. After that they take God in procession to Deepavali Katte. After the pooja upon returning to temple, Bali Pradakshina will be done inside the premises of temple in the cart.

Dhanupooja:

In Dhanurmasa pooja should be done in ushakala(dusk) so temple will open at 5 o’clock in the morning. After Abhisheka, Dhupooja will be done at 5.15 in the morning. After at 5.30 Mahapooja will be done & Balipradakshine will be done. Approximately 700 people will gather for morning pooja.

Mahashivarathri:

On this day many devotees come to temple & offer Rudrabhisheka & Shivapooja for God Shiva. At night at 9.30 to 10.00 Rangapooja will be held there after Gods Balipradakshine and pulling of Silver Chariot will be conducted, later cultural programme will be held till morning. After morning pooja Shivarathri will come to an end.

Kambala:

This festival will be held in the month of December. It will be held before Laksha deepothsava of the temple. It will start after Kadri Arasu visit these. The Kambala will start After the pooja to Manjunatha & Sprinkling of the holy water in the place of Kambla.

Annual Festivals: (9 days)

1st day :

Holy water bath for God at 4 o’ clock. 8.30 holy water bath for Yogishwar Aras of the Kadri mata. At 6 o’ clock in the evening hoisting the flag stand for the pole. This will be done by the Mogaveera community. At 10 pm, dhwaja baliseve will be held. In the presence of Yogishwar Matadeesh & in front of God. Garudarohana will be held. It means temple festival has started and on 1st day and 7th day, kanchil seva will be done. Kanchil seve means small children will dress up like bride & groom they walk in front of God.

2nd day:

Evening at 7 o'clock procession will start (utsava bali). it means Gods procession will be taken along with chande, valaga & seven round will be taken to God. at night 11 o’ clock. Mahapooja, Boothabali & Small Chariot will be done one after another. Nithyabali means taking 6 round of god to the temple without any decoration.

3rd day:

Evening 7 o’ clock procession will be taken to Bikarnakatte. After that Uthsava bali, Maha pooja, Nithya bali, Bhootha bali will be done.

4th day:

Evening at 6 o’ clock procession will start to Mallikatte. Procession will be taken to south wards. After Utsava Bali, Mahapooja, Nithya bali, Bhootha bali will be held.

5th day:

Evening 6 o’ clock procession will go towards Mundanakatte. Procession will be taken westside to Mundanakatte. After Utsava balipooja, Nithyabali, Bhootha Bali will be held.

6th day:

Evening 6 o’ clock procession will go to Konchadi. God will be taken northside in procession to Konchadi. After that Utsavabali, Mahapooja, Nithyabali, Boothabali will be held. After that Nithyabali & Bootha bali will be held for Kere (Ponds). Kere Deepothsava means God will take Pradakshina towards the Kere (Ponds) & return.

7th day:

Seventhday utsava will be conducted in the premises of temple. After Mahapooja, Annasantharpane (Mass Lunch) will be served, Sweets will be included in the lunch. Evening 7 o’ clock Utsavabali, Mahapooja, Nithyabali, Bhoothabali, Deepadha bali, Chandramandala utsava will be conducted. Deepabali utsava will be conducted on 1st & 7th day of Annual Festival.

Maharathostava: (8th Day)

On 8th day Shri Maharathosava will be conducted Morning 10 am, Chariot (Ratha) will be decorated. After Ratha kalasha pooja will be done (means purifying the ratha). After Mahapooja, utsava moorthi will be brought in procession in presence of Yogishwar Matadeesh. Utasava Moorthy will be Kept in the Chariot at 1 O'clock and at evening 6 o’clock Rathosava will be done. After saying “Aavo Beta Manjunatha” by Kadri Matadeesh, chariot will be pulled. After the pulling of Silver chariot, Chandra Mandal will be pulled around the temple. After Mahapooja in the night, Bhootabali and Shayana pooja will be done. Shayana pooja means God will be kept on the bed whic is placed over a cot and then door will be closed.

Abavartha Sanha: (9th Day)

In the morning Matadeesh will open the temple door. After showing the God through mirror to Matadeesha. He will be seated on the thirtha Mantapa. After Thirtha (Holy water) Abhisheka will be done to God. After Mahapooja, Thulabara will be conducted. In the night bath will be given in pushkarani. After that God will be kept on katte. Flag will be brought down. Next day Somprokshane Abhisheka will be done. After noon Varshika Parwaseva will be done to Shree Annappa Dhaiva. Evening Nemothsava will be held to Shree Malaraya Dhaiva.