Kadri Temple:
Kadri Manjunath Temple (Kadri Temple) in Karnataka state, India, is located in Mangalore. Kadri Manjunatha Swamy Temple on Kadri hills in Mangalore is a very beautiful and famous temple.
Kadri Manjunath Temple History:
It is said to have been built during the 10th or 11th century. During the 14th century it was transformed to a complete stone structure. The temple Lord Manjunathaswamy idol is considered the oldest of the temples in South India. Parashurama who was staying in Sahyadri is believed to have killed the cruel kshathriyas and donated the lands to Kashyapa. To Lord Shiva he begged for a place to live.
Lord Shiva promised Parashurama that Lord Shiva would reincarnate as Manjunatha for the betterment of the world if he performed a penance at Kadali kshethra. According to the orders of Shiva Parashurama threw his axis into the sea and built a place for his penance. To give in to the prayers of Parashurama Lord Shiva appeared to him as Manjunatha with Goddess Parvathi and remained at Kadri for the world’s betterment. As per Manjunatha’s orders the sapthakoti manthras become the seven theerthas.
There are Hindu and Buddhist roots to this site. Thus, Buddhism was practiced until the 10th century A.D. But the devotion of Manjusri and Avalokiteśvara in this area persisted after the collapse of the Buddhism. The worship of Nath was accepted with Buddhism, and it also continued the tradition of Tantric Shiva. As a result, the Hindu vortex came in with many Buddhist temples. As M. puts it Govinda Pai this temple was known as Kadri Manjunatha where is Manjunatha connected to Shiva and Kadri is derived from Kadri Vihara which was Vajrayana worship Buddhist monastery.
King Kundavarma of the Alupa dynasty left an inscription at the basis of the image of Avalokiteśvara indicating that he was Shiva’s devotee. This image was not of Buddha, but of Bodhisattva, who was worshiped as Shiva’s essential form. Alternatively M. Govinda Pai concluded that this was the cornerstone of the cult of Bodhisattva Manjusri. And were later identified as Saivite deities on this Bodhisattavs. At this place for centuries Shiv linga and Bodhisattva were worshiped together until it was eventually converted into a Saivite temple. For this transformation Knadarika Vihara provides firm inscriptional facts. Since Brahimins took forcible control of the 11th century.
There are a number of water reservoirs at a height right in front of the temple. There is a garden which surrounds the ponds. When one walks down from there, there is a huge light pole in front of the temple. Here deepothsava is held during karthika maasa. The temple features statues of Machendranath, Gorakanath, Shringinath, Lokeshwara, Manjushri, and Buddha.
Today, the temple’s main deity is Manjunatha. It has a shiv ling on it. The Lokeshwara statue in the sitting position, with three faces and six arms is tipped to be India’s best bronze statue. It is about one and a half meters tall.
There is a natural spring at the back of the building, at an elevated spot. It’s called Gomukha. It is assumed that the water flows from the river Bhageerathi, in Kashi, and as Kashi Bhageerathi theertha it gets its name. The water from this spring is let into nine neighboring ponds of varying sizes. Upon reaching the main temple, the tourists wash themselves in those ponds.
During the month of January annual Jathra Mahothsava is held. Nine festival days begin on the day of makara sankranthi. Theertha snana is held in the morning, followed by dwajasthambha arohana, kanchi sthambha lighting, and bali uthsava on the same day.
Savari Bali:
Uthsava bali is held for four days, during which Lord Manjunatha visits four kattas in the four directions consecutively.
- Bikarnakatte savari
- Mallikatte savari
- Mundana katte savari
- Konchadi katte savari
On the seventh day of the festival, after the “Seventh Deepothsava” savari is held and there is “Maha Anna Samtharpaney” (mass feeding).
Thousands of people are gathering to get fed by the offered prasadam delicacies.
Maha rathothsava :
Maha manmaharathothsava, chariot uthsava, is served after a day of mass feeding. Devotees from around the world gather to seek Lord Shree Manjunatha’s blessings and be a part of the grand ceremony.
Kadri Manjunath Temple Timings:
Morning: 6:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Kadri Manjunath Temple Accommodation:
Nearby lodges are placed. But the temple has given none. You can rest in Mangalore City wherever you want. You don’t have to think about transportation. Max distance from anywhere in the city would be 4 km, and there are rickshaws.
Kadri Manjunath Temple to Mangalore Distance: 11 min (5.2 km) via Bajpe Main Rd/Bejai – Kavoor Rd
Kadri Manjunath Temple Photos:
