subject: Captivating Kadri Temple In Mythical Karnataka [print this page] India is a land of rituals, customs and religious piety unlike any other seen in the world. It is the land of festivals, colourful dyes and sea faring deities. A cultural Mecca that still remains rooted to its vibrant past, unchanged by the hands of time. Mangalore lies at the spot where the Gurupur and Netravati Rivers meet the Arabian ocean. A famed trading point from 6th century A.D., Mangalore is not only the largest town on the coastlines of Karnataka, but also a tourist hub for its diverse cultural heritage.
Home to Ullal Beach, Mangalore is also where attractions such as Sultan Battery, Shri Yogishwar Mutt and Bejai Museum are located. Other popular points of interest include Kadri Hill Park, Shri Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple and the Light House Hill Garden.
But the citys most prominent tourist destination remains the Kadri Manjunatha Temple. Ideally situated at the base of Mangalores tallest mountain Kadri, this majestic temple is dedicated to the Manjunatha or Lord Shiva. Famed for its nine water reservoirs, Kadri Temple is also home to the Lokeshwara statue of Shiva which is believed to be the finest bronze statue in all of India. The temple grounds consist of a Durga shrine in the west and a shrine dedicated to Ganesh in the northern corner.
Built in the 10th or 11th century A.D it is believed to have been renovated in granite in the 14th and 15th centuries. One of the temples most mystical venues is the Gomukha Bhageerati Teertha pond whose holy water source is yet to be determined. The faithful believe the small stream that flows in to the pond to be an agent of the Ganga River although the real source of the water remains a mystery.
Behind the temple lays what locals call a Gomukha or a natural spring which divides in to seven ponds, where devotees take a cleansing bath before entering the hallowed grounds of the temple. Among the deities to reside in this ancient temple include Shringinath, Machendranath, Lokeshwara, Gorakanath, Buddha and Manjushri whose captivating statues are found within the premises.
Built in the style of Vijayanagara, the temple structure and its surrounding Pandavas caves provide an indication in to its architectural and historic significance in Mangalores religious landscape. Travellers who visit the temple can look forward to a host of breathtaking festivals that take place regularly with devoted locals in attendance. These include the Kadiruthsava, Navarathri, Ganesha chathurthi, Karthika Maasa and special Hindu ceremonies such as Paththanaaje poojas and Deepavali celebrations. Other red letter calendar days like the Dhanurmaasa pooja, Shivarathri and Rathothsava are also looked forward to by tourists and locals alike.
A place of mythology and sacred rituals, Kadri Temple is a must-see locale in the region. For those who are looking for a Mangalore hotel that offers easy access to the citys attractions, The Gateway Hotel Old Port Road Mangalore is the answer. A comfortable and charming rest that surpasses other Mangalore hotels in the area, guests will find first class accommodation and top-notch services.
by: Pushpitha Wijesinghe
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