Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple, Mandarthi

Karnataka, Udupi, Bengaluru

Mandarthi is a Hindu holy place located 25 km north to Udupi in Udupi District of Karnataka state, India. The Goddess Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple resides here. The name is derived from 'Manda-Aarathi' from Kannada, meaning the holy light.

Legend

Long ago the King Shankachooda was ruling Nagaloka. He had five daughters Devarathi, Nagarathi, Charurathi, Mandarathi and Neelarathi. Once they went to Kailasa with an aspiration of marrying the Lord Subramanya Swamy, son of the Lord Shiva. These Five princesses were stopped by Nandi (Lord Shiva's Devotee) on their way and cursed to become snakes. Instantaneously they were transformed into snakes and fell down to earth. Vyaghrapada Maharishi who was wandering in the sahyadri Ghats saw these five snakes caught in the forest conflagration and knew everything about them by his divine insight. He said to the five princes (now Snakes) that their cursed would be removed by a royal person in due course of time. Meanwhile, the King of Avanthi Devavarma, who had been banished and wandering in disguise in the Sahyadri Mountains, saw these five snakes and decided to save them. He wrapped the snakes with a piece of cloth and started travelling towards the west. The snakes slid out of the cloth wrapper and reached a near by termite hill. One of the snakes called 'Mandarathi' reached a part of forest, which came to be called as 'Mandarthi' later. One day the nagakanyas appeared in a dream of King Devavarma, intimating him that Jalajakshi, the only princess of the King Rajaditya was in a danger. Devavarma promptly saved the princess from the danger and protected her. The King of Hemadri Rajaditya was greatly pleased by this and gave his daughter Jalajakshi in marriage to Devavarma and enthroned him as the King of Hemadri. Queen Jalajakshi was accidentally seen by Mahisha a demon, who was born from the union of the sage Vyagrapadamuni with thamasic natured Kiratha woman. Mahisha, who was lustful, cast his evil eyes on the queen. He expressed his desire to marry her. When the queen opposed him, he became enraged and tried to posses her by force and violence. But all the efforts made by Mahisha were fruitless. Queen Jalajakshi who was deeply hurt and sad went to her palace and told the story husband Devavarma. They decided to take shelter in the hermitage of Sudevamuni. A battle ensues between Mahisha and the King Devavarma in which huge snake pits swallow all the army of Mahisha. At the behest of Risis, the king prays to Devi and she ultimately kills the demon with the help of virabhadra, Hayguli, Kalkuda and Bobbarya. In doing so, she also calls upon Chamundi to kill all the Rakshasas and Vyag. This legend accounts for the shrines of hayguli, Kalkuda, Bobbarya and Chamundi around the sanctum of Durga Parameshwari as her Parivara Devathas.

Architecture

Vijayanagara style architecture.

Picture courtesy : www.mandarthidurgaparameshwari.com

Darsan Info

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

Darsan Dresscode

Clean and conservative clothing is preferred.

Famous Festival

Kumbha Masa Sankramana Day
Nava Rathri Ustava (Dasara)

Culture

Mandarthi is well known for Hindu historical temples surrounding the place. The pleasant and modest weather makes you to peace loving,motivational.The place is surrounded by hill stations and water falls.