Aversa Narayani Temple

Shri Katyayani Baneshwar Temple or the Aversa Narayani is a Hindu Konkani temple in the coastal town of Aversa near Ankola, in the North Canara district of Karnataka. It is around 100 km (62 miles) from Goa, India, 500 km (310 miles) from Bangalore. This is the only temple from Goa, to be relocated to Aversa with all the original idols of the main deities of Shree Katyayani, Shree Baneshwar and all other temple deities during the Portuguese invasion. The idol of Katyayani is known for having a tilted head just like the Navadurga Devi located in Madkai (Goa). The taluka headquarters at Ankola is at 10 km away and district headquarters in Karwar is at a distance of 25 km from the temple. Nearest railway station is of Konkan Railway Corporation Limited at Harwada at distance of 2 km. Main railway station at Karwar is at a distance of 28 km. Nearest port is at Karwar. The Dabolim Airport of Goa is the nearest airport to the temple at a distance of 120 km. The airport at Mangalore is at a distance of about 250 km from the temple. Shri Katyayani is the Kuladevi (Kuladevata) (Family Deity) to many Konkani Saraswat Brahmins and Daivajnya Brahmins. According to the customs of this temple, Pooja's are performed first to Shri Katyayani and then to Shri Baneshwar and then to Shri Ganapati (Ganesh). The other deities worshipped are Sri Grama Purusha, Sri Rama Purusha, Sri Nirakara, Sri Kalabhairava and Sri Dada. The idol of Sri Ganapathi is at the entrance of the shrine of Sri Baneshwar. The temple is managed by Shri Katyayani Baneshwar Temple Trust. The temple complex is run on solar energy.