Sharavo Sarabeshwara Maha Ganapathi and Mangala Devi temple, Mangalore- Karnataka

Sharavo  Sharabeshawara Maha Ganapati temple is about 800 years old. The main deity here is Siva, worshipped as Sharabeshwara hence this  sacred place came to be known as Sharavo. On the southern wall of the temple one finds the divine image of Dashabhuja Ganapathy along with Siddi Lakshmi.This temple attracts lot of tourists throughout the year from India and abroad.

Mangala Devi temple is another  popular shrine in Mangalore and this port town  derives its name from this Goddess Mangala Devi.This temple has a special significance for the maidens. For getting their wishes fulfilled of getting a suitable match , maidens observe  Mangala Parvati Vrata here. There is  frequent bus service or auto rickshaws  available for commuting here.

How to reach- Mangalore is well connected by rail, road and air.   

Accommodation- The city has many budget,luxury and deluxe hotels.

For other temples in Mangalore on My Pilgrimage click here

Photos

https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipNracixPQmA0e_DD4BiRtpJ775kQI5NZIGWa_SW

                                                        Mangala Devi temple

Maha Ganapathy

Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwar temple- Mangalore.

 Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwar temple  is  just 3 Kms from   Mangalore city railway station. The  presiding deity is Siva  and this idol was consecrated by Sri Narayana Guru, a  saint and social reformer belonging to Kerala in 1912. The temple was constructed mainly for the Billava community who were denied entry to other temples in those days.  There are also sub shrines for Krishna, Ganapathi, Subramanya,  Durga, Anna Poorneshwari, Hanuman, Saneeshwara and Navagrahas  here. The temple was renovated few years back. Marble is used extensively in this temple and is maintained very well.  In summer to help the devotees ,carpets are laid out on the walk way . The ceiling of each shrine is embellished with minute carvings.

Other temples, in and around Mangalore on My Pilgrimage

Venkataramana and Mahamaya temple

DurgaParameshwari temple, Kateel

Kadri Manjunatheshwara temple

How to reach: Mangalore  can be reached by road , rail or air. 

Accommodation: Luxury , deluxe and budget hotels are available suiting  all.

Town buses, cabs and auto rickshaws are available to reach this place.

See map, for location which is given along with tags.

Kadri Manjunatheshwara temple- Mangalore

Majunatheswara temple is an ancient temple right inside the city of Manglore and the temple has Kadri hills  as a back drop. The thick green foliage on the hills lend a beautiful charm to the whole setting.  The tower of this temple is  unique and it  resembles a Buddhist pagoda. There is a Ganesha temple as soon as one enters the temple precincts, on the left side. The temple dates back to the  10th century but the present structure is around 500 years old . Goddess Parvati is worshipped on the Western side of the temple. It is believed that Siva and Parvati  came to reside here at the request of Lord Parasurama. The bronze statue of the Lord Lokeshwara here   in  padmasana (seated pose) is considered to be finest bronze statue in India.

A natural spring at an elevated location known as Goumukha,  believed here, to be the river Ganges itself. One has to climb a few steps to reach this spot.  The water flowing out is let into  the ponds here.  The temple pond  here is found at a higher level than the temple unlike other temples where it is found at a lower level.  There are also many caves  here and it is believed that Pandavas came and stayed here during their exile.

How to reach- Mangalore is well connected by Road, rail and air and offers attractive accommodation luxury, deluxe and economy class . People are friendly and anybody can be comfortable here.  

Other temples in Mangalore  on " My Pilgrimage"

1. Venkata ramana and Mahamaya temple

2. Durga Parameshwari temple , Kateel near Mangalore.

For location, see map at the bottom of the post.

Durga Parameshwari temple - Kateel

 Navarathri festival is on and I thought a  post on   Mother Goddess  Durga whom we all worship during these nine divine nights is apt for the season. Navarathri is victory of  good over evil, and this temple I visited also has the Divine Mother Durga  as the presiding deity.

 Kateel Durga Parameshwari temple stands gloriously in the middle of  river Nandhini surrounded by thick and lush greenery. Kati, means middle and Ila means  area in  Tulu language, a local dialect spoken in Dakshina Kannada. This temple is at a distance of  29 Kms. from Mangalore city.  Nandhini, believed to be the daughter of Kamadenu  was cursed by a rishi and she flowed as a  river on earth. She requested Goddess Durga to redeem her and the Goddess  after  killing the demon Arunasura resided in the form of a Linga in the Kati of river Nandini. By the presence of  Mother Goddess, Nandhini was relieved from the curse and thence She blesses Her devotees.

How to Reach:

Mangalore is well connected with air, road and rail. Many private buses ply to this temple . Private cabs are also available and one can hire them at reasonable rates.

Accomodation- Budget , luxury and deluxe hotels are available in Mangalore.

Venkatramana and Mahamaya temple - Mangalore

Mangalore is a busy town and it has a cosmopolitan crowd. It derives its name from the local Hindu deity Mangala Devi, and it has developed into a major port .It is the administrative head quarters of Dakshina Kannada (Southern Karnataka) .The city has a beautiful landscape surrounded from all sides by lush greenery , back waters, and fresh water streams.

Many Gowda Saraswath Brahmins (GSB) have made Mangalore their home and they lovingly refer to this city as Kodial and have established their temples here. The main GSB temple here is that of Lord Venakataramana. Like the Kochi Tirumala Devasom temple, this temple here is quite famous and is also a socio -religious centre for the GSB community.

The temple is maintained well and the idol of Venkataramana.( Lord Vishnu) is very attractive and the effulgence cannot be expressed in words. This temple like the Kochi temple has sub shrines for Hanuman, Ganesha, Mahalakshmi, and for the Lord's mount Garuda. The doors and dwajasthambha of this temple have rich carvings and are plated with silver. The outermost door is carved out of wood and is beautified with images from the Dasavathatra ( Vishnu's ten incarnations)

50 metres from this temple one can visit the Mahamaya, (The female form of Goddess) temple and is also as attractive as the Venakataramana temple.

When visiting Mangalore one cannot forget but visit another attraction, Ideal ice cream parlour offering Gadbad,and other varieties of Sundaes and ice creams at unbelievably attractive prices.

How to reach- Mangalore is well connected by Road, rail and air and offers attractive accommodation luxury, deluxe and economy class . People are friendly and anybody can be comfortable here.

Pilgrimage along Konkan Coast

Here's  a glimpse of my wonderful, exciting, fabulous and  spiritual journey I took  recently along the konkan coast- to places like  Goa, karvar ,Mangalore with my family . We had loads of fun enjoying the natural picturesque beaches of Goa, boat rides and of course the  favourite 'my pilgrimage'.

First phase of my trip was in Goa and I was excited because this is the place our ancestors belonged to . They migrated down South about 400 years ago, fearing conversions from Portuguese and have been living there since. It was quite exciting to see the place where I could speak my Mother tongue, Konkani  as most of the people  were quite familiar with the same and I felt quite at home. My heart yearned to be there but  I had to come down to earth. I would take you through the enchanting experience of mine in  my future posts.So keep watching and enjoy the same  sitting in the cool comforts of your home.

My friends, I will be visiting all of you very soon,. See you.

Here's a jhalak....(glimpse) of the places I visited and I am going start with Amcha Goa ( My Goa) . .......:-)