he Mangaladevi Temple is a Hindu temple at Bolara in the city of Mangalore, situated about three km southwest of the city centre. The temple is dedicated to Hindu god Shakti in the form of Mangaladevi. The city of Mangalore is named after the presiding deity, Mangaladevi. The temple is of significant antiquity with Mangaladevi is depicted in sitting posture as Dharapatra.

The central shrine is at a lower elevation, with a shrine of Naga, the snake god in the elevation. There is a small Lingam to the left of the icon. The temple architecture is typically Kerala style as is found in many temples in this region. The temple is open daily from 6 a.m to 10 am, 12 pm to 1 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm (Fridays till 9 pm). Navaratri (Dussera) is the time for special pujas performed on all nine days at Mangaladevi.

Navaratri is the time for special pujas performed on all nine days. On the seventh day, Goddess Mangaladevi is worshipped as Chandika (or Marikamaba). On the eighth day, the goddess is worshipped as Maha Saraswathi. On the ninth day, which is also known as Mahanavmi, She is worshipped as Vagdevi, goddess for speech. Chandika yaga are also performed on this day. A large number of devotees participate in the Rathothsava on the tenth day, which is celebrated as Dussera.

Legend behind Mangaladevi Temple

Sourced from temple website

In Tulunadu, in the 10th century, Kundavarma, the most famous king of Alupa dynasty was ruling. Mangalore was the capital of his kingdom. At that time, there came two sages named Machhendranatha and Gorakanatha from Nepal. They reached Mangalapura, crossing the river Nethravathi. The place where they crossed the river came to be known as ‘Gorakdandu’. They chose a place near the bank of Nethravathi which was once the centre of activities of sage Kapila. He had his hermitage there and it was a great centre of education.

Hearing about the arrival of the two saints, the king came to meet them. Introducing himself as the king of Tulunadu, he paid them his respects and offered all help and patronage. Pleased with the humility and virtues of the king, they brought to his knowledge that his kingdom was a holy place and it was sanctified by the activities of holy saints and sages in the past. They requested him to grant them land so that they could build their hermitage and make it a centre of their religious activities under his protection and patronage.

It was from these saints he came to know that once upon a time, in his land there existed a temple dedicated to mother Mangaladevi. For Kundavarma, it was really a surprise to know that his land had such a history. He heard from them the story of Vikhasini, Andasura, Parashurama and the temple of Mangaladevi built by Parashurama. The two saints took the king to the places where all these historical events had taken place. They asked the king to dig the place and retrieve the Linga and the Dharapatra symbolising Mangaladevi and install them in a shrine along with Nagaraja for protection.

Kundavarma carried out the advice of the two sages. A grand shrine of Sri Mangaladevi stood on the holy place. The two sages themselves guided and supervised the execution of the work. The temple attained special significance as Mother Magaladevi granted special favors, especially on maidens. Pious maidens who worship the goddess observing Mangaladharavrata (Swayamvara Parvathi) will have their wishes fulfilled and get husbands most suitable for them.

Even today, heads of Kadri Yogirajmutt visit Mangaladevi temple on first day of the Kadri temple festival and offer prayer and silk cloth to the Goddess.

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