Kudroli Gokarnath Temple, Mangalore

Sri Narayana Guru (A social reformer and a saint) constructed this temple in 1912. This temple is situated at Kudroli, which is about 3 Km away from the main city area of Hampankatta. The original temple structure was in Kerala style, which was replaced, by Chola style during recent renovation in 1991.

Gokarnanatheshwara, Lord Shiva, is the main deity. The main temple is surrounded by the smaller temples for Mahaganapathi, Subramanya, Shaneeshwara, the Navagraha, Annapoorneswari and Anandabhairava.

Temple main entrance

Nandi in front of the Temple

A silver chariot weighing 225kg, gifted by builder /owner Ramesh Kumar and his Family

12.5-foot Hanuman statue Mandir inside Kudroli Temple

History:

The Billawa Community was treated as 'untouchables' by upper cast. Sri Narayana Guru who hailed from Kerala has been regarded as the up lifter of the downtrodden and a visionary social servant. Sri Narayana Guru visited Mangalore on invitation from this delegation and ascertained for himself, the exactness of the then prevailing situation. After visiting the place, Sri Narayana Guru himself selected the place in Kudroli and advised the community elders about a suitable location to build their temple and the work began under his direction. Elders such as Sahukar Koragappa took the initiative in ensuring smooth progress in the temple's construction.

Sri Narayana Guru himself formally consecrated the temple in February 1912 with the establishment of sacred Shiva Linga, which was brought by him. He also named this place as Sri Gokarnanatha Kshethra. Sahukar Koragappa donated the land needed for the Kshethra.

As per the Guru's advice, idols of Lord Ganapathy, Lord Subramanya, Goddess Annapoorneshwari, Lord Bhairava, the Nava Grihas (Lords of nine planets), Lord Shanishwara and Lord Shri Krishna has been installed at the Kshethra.

The land on which the temple is built was earlier used by Tippu Sultan to graze his horses. Hence the name Kudre-valli (Kudre in Kannada means horse) which later on became Kudroli.

Renovation:

In 1989, it was decided to renovate the Sri Kshethra. A project to this was formed under the leadership of then managing President H.C. Somasundaram and Vice President A. Vishwanath. Mr. Janardhana Poojary, former Union Minister of State, laid the foundation stone for the Rajagopuram (main tower) of this Kshethra. Ever since all efforts have been made to raise the stature of this Kshethra to world renown under the leadership and guidance of Mr. Poojary.The efforts ensured the renovation work was completed in mere thirteen months and it was duly inaugurated on 8th February 1991.

The Kshethra's brilliant architectural work is the result of intricate planning and dedicated efforts of the renowned South India based sculptor Mr. Dakshina Murthi. Mr. Murthi too took up the task of selecting the right kind of stone for the rajagopuram and idols to be installed therein, which was brought from places near and far such as Karkala in South Kanara, Vellore and Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu. Nearly 150 sculptors and around 700 laborers toiled hard to complete the renovation work. It is indeed a miracle that all though this massive renovation and reconstruction work, by the grace of the divinity of the Kshethra, not even a single accident or mishap had happened during the entire construction period and even till this day.

The Brahmakalsotsava of the Shri Kshethra was carried out under the spiritual guidance of His Holiness Sri Sri Bharathi Thirtha Swamiji of Sri Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sringeri Peetha. A team of Vedic scholars assisted Swamiji in this religious ceremony spread over 5 days. The Swamiji in the gracious presence of His Holiness Swami Geetananda of Sri Shivagiri Mutt and Mr. Rajeev Gandhi then the Member of Parliament of India carried out the Kalashabhisheka and Kumbhabhishekam. Mr. Rajeev Gandhi inaugurated the renovated Kshethra in the presence of thousands of devotees.

Celebrations & Poojas:

The Kshethra observes days of religious significance such as Mahashivarathri and Maha Navarathri.

Navarathri Utsava (Dasara festival) is very famous and is one of the main tourist events in this temple. A grand procession of Goddess Durga takes place during this festival, which attracts many tourists and devotees from distance corners of the state and is very popular like Mysore Dasara. Tableaus float from a special part of the festivities and are taken round the main thoroughfares of Mangalore. Idols are then immersed in the well-decorated temple pond (Gangavathara) in the presence of devote.

Besides, these festivals, other prominent Hindu festivals such as Ganesh Chathurthi, Sri Krishnashtami, Sri Ramanavami, Deepavali, Sankashta Chathurthi, is being observed. The birthday of the founder of this Kshethra, Sri Narayana Guru too is ceremoniously followed.

Kudroli during Dasara Festival

Kudroli Dasara procession

Kudroli Gangavatara during day

Kudroli Gangavatara during Night

Punyakoti Vana (Garden)

How to reach the temple:

From the main bus stand (State Bank bus stand) of Hampankatta of Mangalore city, one can reach the temple by catching city bus (nos. 1, 13, 13A) and getting down at Kudroli stop (in front of temple Main Gate). It is just half an hour journey by bus. We can reach by hiring auto-rickshaws.

Also if you are travelling from Surathkal or Kottara side you can get down in Lady Hill and catch city bus (nos. 1, 13, 13A) and get down at Kudroli stop .

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