Durgaparameshwari Temple

Overview

The Sri Mundkur Durga Parameshwari Temple is a Devi Temple along the Shambhavi river coast in Dakshina Kannada. The presiding deity is Durgaparameshwari known as Mahishamardini. The place can be reached by trekking along Belmann Moodabidri road from Udupi, it is one of the ancient temples which are thousand years old. Along this river line located a wide range of Shiva and Durga temples.

About The Temple

In the past 65 years, the Brahmakalashabhisheka took place in 1978 and 1993 with few renovations, additions to the temple and in the year 2005-06, the Garba Gudi, Theertha Mantapa, Suthu Powli,Mukha Mantapa, Padu Gopura, Temple Ratha Shed etc. were reconstructed by the dedicated devotees under the guidance of Trustee/ Chief Priest Vedamurthi Jayarama Acharya, Sri P Ramadas Madmannaya(Pavithrapani), MD of AMS Ltd, Bangalore; Trustee Sri Raghu T Shetty of Guruprasad, Mulladka, the Man who contributed the major constructions and various religious, cultural and daily Annadana, including the New Granite Sanctum Sanctoriums for Sri Mahaganapathi and Sri Durgaparameshwari and the Managing Trustee, Mundkur Nadiguthu Jagadishchandra Hegde along with other trustees. The Mumbai committee, headed by Sri J. V. Shetty, Rtd CMD of Canara Bank and Sri Annedaguthu Jayarama Shetty; Sri M G Karkera, (Director-Arcadia Group of Companies); Sri K V Acharya of Sriraj, Mundkur. The Punarprathishta of Goddess Durgaparameshwari was done in Newly built Sanctum Sanctorum on February 2, 2006 followed by the Brahmakalasha on February 5, 2006. The Inauguration of renovation (Shadhadhara) work was done by HH Sri Vidya Sagara Theertha Swamiji of Krishnapur Math, Udupi on May 19, 2005; and Pejavar Math HH Sri Vishvesha Theertha Swamiji dedicated the New constructions on the lotus feet of Sri Durgaparameshwari on January 31, 2006 sponsored by dedicated devotees staying in different parts of India and Abroad. The events were witnessed by thousands of devotees who took part as "Karasevaks". The Auspicious religious rituals were performed under the Guidance of Brahmasri Harikrishna Thantri- Derebailu, Thenka Yedapadavu Ramamurthi Thantri, Narayana Thantri, Muralidhara Thantri, and their Team, followed by Cultural programmes including Dance, Drama, Yakshagaana, Bhajans, Spiritual Satsangs and Felicitations to the Donors, Work force and Persons responsible for the Mega event, ever happened in the History of Mundkur. The Cultural events were undertaken under the leadership of Dr.P. Balakrishna Alva, Mundkur.

About The Deity

The main deity is Sri Durgaparameshwari in the form of Mahishamardini, holding the demon Mahisha upside down and piercing thrishul on his body. Other deities over here are MahaGanapathi (Kshipraprasaada swaroopi), Vaarahi (Panjurli), Naaga, AshwaththaVriksha, Raktheshwari, Navagraha, Vyaghra Chamundi (Pilichandi), Dhoomavathi, and Rakshopi Devatha also know as protector from evil spirits of the temple. Photos of Sri Madhvacharya, Sri Vadiraja swamiji, Sri Raghavendra Swamiji, and Sri Bhootharaja are installed in Sri Madhva Mandira, where bhajans and poojas are held regularly.

Legend and Stories

Mythology says that Mundkur is the place where Goddess Durga killed Mundasura, a fierce demon. Later, sage Bhargava who knew about the sanctity of the place established the temple of Goddess Durgaparameshwari with the idol of the Devi facing west. In recent centuries the territory came under Jain rulers. As it happened the administration fell into the power of a wicked ruler called Veeravarma. He was being badly advised by a cunning villain minister called Manjappa Ajiri. They had the support of two hooligans called Shivappa Mungli and Siddhappa Mungli. The state saw unprecedented anarchy with injustice, malpractice and daylight robberies becoming the rule of the day. During same time, legendary warrior twins “Kanthabare and Boodabare” were living in a nearby hamlet called Ulepadi. They were great devotees of Goddess Durgaparameshwari of Mundkur and visiting the temple daily, crossing river Shambhavi. The wicked ruler was apprehensive of these great warriors who were known to be the protectors of the downtrodden. Once he ordered the ferrymen not to ferry Kanthabare – Boodabare brothers across the river in to his area. The brothers came near the river as usual, only to be refused of ferry service. They prayed Goddess Durgaparameshwari fervently and the river split in the middle and allowed the brothers to walk across! This wicked ruler went as far as diminishing the sanctity of Goddess Durgaparameshwari with the help of Black – magicians from Kerala. They eclipsed the powers of temple Guardian Daivas i.e. Dhoomavathi and Raktheshwari, and turned the face of the idol to the east. By doing so, he wanted to sideline the brave warriors and to plunder the jewelry and assets of the temple. Then he called the brothers to his court and challenged them saying that they should cut a bundle of sugarcanes with one stroke of sword. If they win they would be awarded with a fertile property called “Obban Thota”-(coconut Garden). The show was fixed for the next day. As the brothers were coming to the temple, before going to the court, Goddess Mahishamardhini Durgaparameshwari appeared before them on their way in a place called Kallakanda, and gave them a divine sword.

The brothers went to the court and cut the bundle of sugarcanes into two. They were enraged to find that the bundle had an iron rod hidden in the middle. To add fuel to their fury, Veeravarma refused to give Obban thota to them. Instead he ordered his wicked followers to arrest the brothers. Kanthabare and Boodabare relentlessly cut the heads of Veeravarma, Manjappa Ajiri, Shivappa Mungli and Siddappa Mungli one after another with the same sword that the Goddess had given them. They look possession of Obban Thota and ordered that its produce be used for the oil for the Nandadeepa of the temple. Thus the anarchy was over. They dug a well by their own in the said plot and drunk the water, which can be seen even today.

The brave brothers then called the Chowta rulers of Mudbidri and asked them to look after Mundkur region (magane) consisting Mundkur, Mulladka, Inna villages as well. They readily agreed and systematized the administration of Mundkur. Ashtakula (Eight Clans of) Brahmins of Bhargava Gothra, Eight Gutthu Houses and Four Balike Houses were entrusted with the affairs of the temple and of the region headed by the land Lord Madmannaya.This is what the local legends tell us about the history of the temple. There are many clues in and around Mundkur which tell us that Kanthabare and Boodabare really existed. Mundkur Sri Durgaparameshwari is the kuladevi for the Bhargava Gothra Devotees.

Festivals

• Sauramana Ugadi
• One month Vasantha Pooja during Vyshakha Masa
• Shree Raghavendra Guru's Aradhana
• Shimha masadalli Kadiru Kattuvudu - (Hastha Nakshathra)
• Vinayaka Chathurthi, Ganeshothasava.
• Sharannavarathri (Dasara Mahotsava)
• Sharada Prathisthe, Chandikayaga, Sharada Visarjane
• Deepavali festival and starting of Nithyabali
• Nagara Bhajane at Karthika Masa, Deepothsava, Deeparadhane
• Annual Brahmarathosava

Poojas / Sevas

Flower Pooja, Durga Namaskaara, Rangapooja, Thulabhara, Silver Chariot Utsava, Chandika Homa, Durga Homa, Navagraha Homa, Ganapathihoma, Mrithyunjaya Homa, Annasantharpane are performed in the Temple.

Nearby Places to Visit

• Shree Durgaparameshwari Temple, Kateel(13 Kms)
• Shree Krishna Temple, Udupi(40 Kms)
• Savira Kambada Basadi, Moodabidri(19 Kms)
• Shree Venkatrama Temple, Mulky(25 Kms)
• Shree Mahalingeshwara Temple, Inna(03 Kms)

Accessibility

Udupi does not have an airport. Nearest airport is Bajpe Airport in Mangalore. Mundkur does not have an train station. Nearest option is Mulki. Mundkur is 10 km away from Mulki and 12 km away from Padubidri, Karnataka. Mundkur is in the extreme border of Udupi District. Devotees coming from Mangalore can take the route of Bajpe-Kateel-Kinnigoli-Mundkur and from Udupi - Katpadi-Manchakal-Belmannu-Mundkur Regular Buses are available from Mangalore, Udupi, Karkala, Moodabidri, kinnigoli to Mundkur.

Temple Address