Temple

Shree Rajarajeshwari Temple is located in Polali on the banks of the river Phalguni in Kariyangala village of Bantwal taluk, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka.The temple is surrounded by lush paddy fields. The Phalguni river flows on the northern side of the temple. The temple has been referred to in many ancient inscriptions, including the Markandeya Purana, Ashoka inscriptions and travel accounts of ancient travelers. According to an inscription discovered in the vicinity of the temple, the temple around the clay idol was built in 8th century AD. Many ancient inscriptions alluding to the temple were reported around the temple,but were lost over time primarily due to the neglect of their keepers. The remaining inscriptions, which are available today were obtained in kariyangala village, Ammunje and in the temple itself and is now under custody of the Karnataka Government.The region surrounding the temple were ruled by many dynasties including Kadamba, Chalukya, Alupa, Rashtrakoota, Hoisala, Vijayanagara, Ikkeri, Mysore etc. Most of these dynasties spent a lot of resources on this temple and donated agricultural lands for the benefit of the temple. Kings from the Alupa dynasty, which ruled the region aroung 710 AD to 720 AD were particularly noted to have contributed to the development of the temple and to have encouraged the worship of Shri Rajarajeshwari in the region. In later years, Queen Chennammaji of Keladi is reported to have visited the temple and gifted the temple with a grand chariot. Other deities, who adorn the sanctum sanctorum, include Lord Mahaganapathi, Lord Subrahmanya, Goddess Bhadrakali and Goddess Saraswathi.

Legend

It is a widely held belief that the temple was built by King Suratha, and that the king offered his own crown, studded with precious jewels, to be placed on the head of the deity. The king, having lost most of his kingdom in a war and being betrayed by his own ministers, is believed to have taken refuge under a sage named Sumedha in forests located around what is the location of the temple now. The clay idol of the main deity in the temple is historically believed to be up to 5000 years old. The king is reported to have carved the clay idol of Shri Rajarajeshwari himself and offered penance to the deity in return for his kingdom.

Architecture

The temple was initially built from molten brass. The temple had four platforms. An image of the deity, 5 to 6 feet in height, with red rubies for eyes were present on the highest of the platforms. Today, the idol of the main deity, Shri Rajarajeshwari is a stucco image of the deity with a height of 10 feet.The clay used for making the idol was specially prepared with herbal mixtures for added strength. The temple also has smaller idols for other deities including Subramanya, Bhadhrakali, Mahaganapathi and Saraswathi. The roof of Mukhamantapa, a section of the temple has many Gods and Goddesses exquisitely carved in wood. The roofs of other sections of the temple like the Dhwajastambha, the Garbagriha and the Pillar of lights are covered in copper plates.

Picture courtesy : commons.wikimedia.org

Darsan Info

Temple timings : 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Darsan Dresscode

Wear modest clothes, avoid shorts for men

Famous Festival

Souramana Ugadi
Gokulashtami
4th day of Bhadrapada Shukla
Kadiru Habba
Navarathri
Deepavali
Kartika Bahula Padya

Culture

Mangalore is a multicultural potpouri with people from diverse religious, linguistic, migratory classifications, The climate and temples located in Mangalore are very historical and having good architecture and the city is surrounded by hill stations.

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Temple Rituals

Morning pooja and harathi at 8:30 AM, Archana and sevas starts from 9:00 AM

Special Rituals

Annual festival of March, Shivaratri, Gokulashtami, Navrathri, Deepavali, Sashti and Dhanur Mahotsavam are celebrated with immense fervor at the Temple. On 'Prabhavati', a beautifully adorned circular crown-like structure, the deity is placed. During a religious event named Lepashta Gandha, the idols are coated with a special soil mixture with eight medicinal properties once every 12 years. The soil used for coating was prepared hundreds of years ago and not prepared freshly on each occasion.

Additional Info