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Situated 3 Km Southwest
of Mangalore City, this temple has influence on the name
and importance of Mangalore. The word Mangalore is derived
from Goddess Mangaladevi, the main deity of the temple.
The temple built in memory of the princess of Malabar Mangale
in the 10th century. The Goddess Mangale is worshiped as
Shakti. The festival is celebrated during 9 days of Navaratri
(October).
History:
Veerabahu was the king of Tulunadu. When he became old he
handed over his kingdom to Bangaraja with the approval of
his master sage Bharadharaja. Veerabahu had no children
and after relieving himself of the responsibilities of the
king became a recluse.
Bangaraja proved a worthy
successor to Veerabahu. He ruled his kingdom well and brought
more glory and fame to his kingdom. On a certain night while
he was sleeping Goddess Mangaladevi appeared in his dream
and revealed to him that at the spot where Netravathi and
Phalguni rivers converge there is a mound under which lay
the remains of a shrine. Mother Goddess bade him to relieve
from the remains the Shivashakthi Linga and the Dharapatra
and install them in a shrine newly built. Then, she further
said arrangements be made for the regular worship in the
temple. She promised him that these services would bring
him glory and happiness.
The king, not being able
to decide as to what he should do consults sage Bharadhwaja.
Bharadhwaja saint was very much pleased with the king and
encouraged him to fulfill the wishes of the Mother goddess.
He wanted him to know the past events, which had made the
place a hallowed and blessed one. Listening to the story
of Vikhasini, Andasura and also sage Parasurama, Bhangaraja
decided to execute the responsibility entrusted to him by
Goddess Mangaladevi herself.
Thus a beautiful shrine was
built and the Linga Symbolizing Shiva and Shakti, along
with Dharapatra were installed. Once again the splendor
of the shrine began to attract the pious people.
At the later stage, Kundavarma
once again renovated the temple where it was in a dilapidated
condition under the guidance of Matsyendranath and Goraknath,
holy saints of the Natha cult. In Tulunadu, Kundavarma,
the most famous king of Alupa Dynasty was ruling. At that
time, there came two sages named Matsyendranath and Goraknatha
from Nepal. They reached Mangalapura (today's Mangalore),
crossing the river Netravathi. The place where they crossed
the river came to be known as 'Gorakdandi'. They chose a
place near the bank of Netravathi, which was once the centre
of activities of sage Kapila. He had his hermitage there
and it was a great centre of education.
Hearing about the arrival
of two saints the king came to meet them. Introducing himself
as the king of Tulunadu he paid them his respects and offered
them help and patronage. Pleased with the humility and virtues
of the king they brought to his knowledge that his kingdom
was a hallowed place and it was sanctified by the activities
of holy saints and sages in the past. They requested him
to grant them land so that they could build their hermitage
and make it a centre of their religious activities under
his protection and patronage.
For Kundavarma it was really
a surprise to know that his land had such a hoary history.
It was from these saints he came to know that once upon
a time there exists a temple in his land dedicated to mother
Mangaladevi. From their own mother he heard the story of
Vikasini and Andasura, Parasurama and the temple built by
him. The two saints took the king to places where all these
historical events had taken place. They asked the king to
dig the place and relieve the Linga and the Dharapatra symbolizing
Mangaladevi and install them in a shrine along with Nagaraja
for the protection.
Kundavarma carried out the
advice of the two sages. A grand shrine of Shri Mangaladevi
stood on the hallowed place. The two sages themselves guided
and supervised the execution of the work. The temple attained
special significance, as Mother Mangaladevi granted special
favors, especially on Maidens, Pious Maidens who worship
the goddess observing Mangaladharavrata (Swayamvara Parvathi)
will have their wishes fulfilled. They get husbands most
suited for them.
Even today the two temples,
Mangaladevi and Kadri have maintained their connection.
The hermits of Kadri Yogirajmutt visit Mangaladevi temple
on the first days of Kadri temple festival and offer prayer
and silk cloth.
The place name Mangalapura
owes its origin to the temple of Mangaladevi. The pious
people even today believe that worship of Mangaladevi brings
them prosperity and happiness. The temple has a special
significance for the maidens. Maidens who observe Mangala
Parvati Vrata will have their wish of having a suitable
match, fulfilled. Those who celebrate their wedding in this
holy place will have a happy married life.
Mythology:
Hindu Scriptures tell us about Lord Shrihari's incarnations
on this earth whenever time comes to protect his devotees
by means of destroying evil forces. Mother Goddess too makes
her appearance in the earth to fulfill the same mission.
In one such incarnation Lord Shrihari (Vishnu) killed a
demon king Hiranyaksha, king of Shonithapura. His daughter
Vikhasini in order to take revenge for her father's death
gathered demons army and attacked Devaloka and defeated
Indra, king of Devaloka. Seeing Indra's throne vacant the
demons occupied it with pomp and pride, Kubera King of Yakshas
did not allow their victory last long. He slayed their chief
and drove them out of Devaloka. By seeing this Vikhasini
realized that without the grace of God her earthly powers
were futile. She made up her mind to do penance and propitiate
Lord Brahma so that she could get a son by his grace that
would be powerful enough to avenge the insult and penury
suffered by her because of Lord Vishnu and Devatas.
Having entrusted her state
responsibilities to her minister, Vikhasini entered a forest
and commenced severe penance devoted to Lord Brahma. When
it proved to be futile she decided to offer her mortal body
to the sanctifying fire Brahma appeared before her, immensely
pleased with her devotion and offered to satisfy her wants.
Elated by the grace of Brahma, Vikhasini said, "Lord, grant
me a son who can slay Vishnu, the slayer of my father".
Brahma had to tell her that the Thrimoorthis are deathless
but he granted a boon to her, saying that she would beget
a son from Lord Shiva and he would be valiant and invincible.
This boon brought Vikhasini boundless pleasure, and quite
contented, she returned to her kingdom.
Dreaming about her rosy future
Vikhasini prepares herself for meeting Lord Shiva. She decided
to discard her true form and disguise herself as Parvathi
and doing so chose a place where she could meet Shiva. She
made Shiva Linga and began meditating on Lord Shiva.
The spring season came. In
Kailasa Lord Shiva, who had tamed his mind began to feel
a new kind of inexplicable sensation. He found it hard to
meditate. His feet led him wandering about the hills. He
reached a certain spot where the natural surrounding was
quite captivating. These sensations made Shiva long for
the company of Uma. He was led to the place where Vikhasini
in the guise of Uma was awaiting him. Seeing Uma, Lord Shiva
was overwhelmed with the desire for carnal pleasures. Uma
obliged him and they go under cover. The boon of Brahma
began to come to fruition.
Vikhasini left the place
with deep sense of fulfillment. The subjects of Shonithapura
were extremely happy to have their queen back to rule them.
Thinking of that malicious Devatas will harm her womb Vikhasini
asked the help of Bhoodevi as to the foetus could be hoarded
inside the earth. The gestation period of Vikhasini's foetus
was over. Fully grown, it forced its way from the bottom
of the earth with a thunder like sound. Thus a mighty demon
Andhakasura was born. Vikhasini instilled him a burning
desire to take revenge on Lord Vishnu and the Devatas. Soon
Andhakasura attacked Devaloka, the heaven. None could stand
the might of Andhakasura, the son of Lord Shiva and Devatas
were faced a very humiliated defeat. Andhakasura was half
way through his life's mission. His next target was Lord
Vishnu and he went in search of him.
Here in Kailasa the Divine
Trinity - Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwara were deliberating on
how to save the world from the new problem in the form of
Andhakasura. Indra too joined them. They finally decided
to propitiate Mother Goddess who alone had the powers to
solve this problem. Mother Goddess appeared before them.
Together with granted powers and strength of all Devatas
and Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwara - Mother Goddess set out
to annihilate Andhakasura and invited him for war. Andhakasura
first sent two of his men to check out the position. But
they lost their lives as they dealt radically with Mother.
By knowing this Andhakasura become angry. But the sight
of a strange and captivating woman of beauty left him spell
bound. He spoke to her very endearingly and with ulterior
motive crossed the bound of courtesy and hence the Mother
Goddess was waiting for the opportune moment and the demon
was challenged to fight. The demon did not take time to
realize that he was courting his own death. Mother Goddess's
over whelming appearance - twelve arms each holding weapons
and the lion on which she was riding were too much for him.
He ran to the sea in order to save his mortal life. He jumped
into the sea for cover. The mother taking the form of Rakteshwari
also jumped into the sea and killed him. Her victory caused
waves of happiness all over the world.
In Tretayuga, Shri Hari is
incarnated as Bharghava to destroy evil Kshatriya kings,
taking twenty-one expeditious round the world. The empire
won from the kings offered to sage Kashyapa in charity.
Then he prayed Lord Shiva to grant him a land on which he
could live and continue his penance. Shiva appeared before
him and asked to obtain the land from the king of ocean.
In the event of Varuna's refusal he threw his axe and the
ocean vacated the distance of land covered by the axe. Thus
the land retrieved from the ocean called as Parashurama
Shristi. The spot where Mother Goddess killed Andhakasura
was the spot which Bhargava chosen for his penance. And
as per the instruction given by Mother, he built a beautiful
shrine and installed the Linga and Dharapatra. For conducting
the worship he appointed virtuous Brahmins. Having executed
the instruction of Mother Goddess he left the place for
Badarikashrama.
Postal
Corresponding Address of the temple:
Mahatobhara Shri Mangaladevi Temple,
Bolar,
Mangalore - 575 001.
Phone: 0824- 425476 (Office)
How
to reach temple:
Since the temple is situated just 3 km distance from heart
of the Mangalore city (Hampankatta), availability of frequent
buses make it convenient to reach temple. For independent
and convenient travel plenty of Auto-rickshaws also available.
Seva
List
Seva at the
abode of Shri Mangaladevi:
1. Hannukai Kanike : 0-50
2. Karpura Arathi : 2-50
3. Pancha Kajjaya : 5-00
4. Sese, Kuppasa, Dristi etc. : 5-00
5. Vahana Pooja (2 wheeler) : 5-00
6. Vahana Pooja (all other) : 10-00
7. Devi Mahatme Parayana : 15-00
8. Ashtottara Archane : 15-00
9. Trishati Archane : 15-00
10. Saree, Jewel kanike : 10-00
11. Kumkuma Archane : 12-00
12. Durga namaskara pooja : 15-00
13. Kartika Pooja : 15-00
14. Pushpanjai Pooja : 15-00
15. Trimadhura Nivedya : 12-00
16. Panchamritabhisheka : 20-00
17. Halu Payasa : 15-00
18. Rudrabhishekha : 25-00
19. Kalasha Snana (Morning) : 25-00
20. Naga Tambila (Morning) : 35-00
21. Vidyarambha : 40-00
22. Huvina Pooja : 50-00
23. Tula Bhara : 50-00
24. Prasada Kanike : 50-00
25. Alankara Pooja : 65-00
26. Swayamvara parvathi Pooja : 100-00
27. Pramana : 105-00
28. Parva to Daivas : 200-00
29. Shri Satyanarayana Pooja : 150-00
30. Silver Palaki Pooja **
: 250-00
31. Palaki Pooja : 100-00
32. Nitya Maha Pooja : 250-00
33. Sarvalankara Pooja : 250-00
34. Maha Pooja (Dasara time) : 350-00
35. Small Ranga Pooja : 550-00
36. Durga Homa (Samaradhane extra) : 2,500-00
37. Big Ranga Pooja : 7,500-00
38. Chandika Yaga : 8,500-00
39. Big Rathotsava : 53,000-00
40. Shashwatha Pooja : 1,001-00
(Pooja on interest accrued on the amount)
**
Pooja on Dasara, Navaratri festival time only.
Seva at the
abode of Shri Maha Ganapati:
1. Karpoorarati / Mangalarati : 2-50
2. Panchakajjaya : 5-00
3. Appada Pooja : 15-00
4. Panchamritabhishekha : 20-00
5. Huvina Pooja : 50-00
6. Gana Homa (1 Coconut) : 100-00
7. Gana Homa (3 Coconut) : 200-00
8. Small Ranga Pooja : 550-00
Compiled
by:
Vishweshwara Rao M Mangalore. Ph. 454851
Click
here if you would like to Contribute or send a feedback.
Click
here to go to the main page of Temples.
Click
here to Know more about Mangalore.
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