Origin, History, Festivals of Shree Mangaladevi Temple (2024)
India is well – known as a land of temples. No matter in whichever state you go in India, you can come across a temple at almost every nook and corner. Karnataka is one of the states in South India that is quite popular when it comes to temples. With interesting legends, rich history, scenic location and stunning architecture, the temples of the state can take your breath away. One such temple located in the Indian state of Karnataka is Shree Mangaladevi temple. This is a 9th century Hindu temple that is dedicated to the goddess Shakti who is worshipped here in the form of Mangaladevi. In fact, it is believed that it is after this Goddess, that the city of Mangalore derived its name. Shree Mangaladevi temple holds a lot of significance in the hearts of the locals as well as tourists.
The devotees of the temple come from far and wide to seek the blessings of Goddess Mangaladevi. There are plenty of interesting features about this temple which makes it a top tourist place to visit in Karnataka. In this article, we have collected all of the important information about the Mangaladevi Temple which you should know about before visiting it. Continue reading to know more!
Origin, History and Festivals of Shree Mangaladevi Temple in Mangalore
Situated in Bolara, Mangalore, Shree Mangaladevi temple is located at a distance of about 3 km from the city centre. Dedicated to the goddess shakti, the temple has a beautiful history associated with itself which dates back to the 9th century. As a result, this shrine practices a variety of ancient religious norms and connects them to the modern rituals. Be it the architecture or the festivities and celebrations that are carried out here, the Shree Mangaladevi Temple is best in almost every field. If you are still searching for more reasons to visit this beauty, then continue reading as we have already prepared a list of some reasons which will prompt you to visit this temple soon!
- Interesting Legend: It is said that two sages- Machhendranatha and Gorakanatha came from Nepal to visit Mangalore. Hearing about the arrival of these sages, the ruling king came to pay his respects and offered all help to them. Pleased by the humility of the king, the sages asked him for a piece of land to build a temple. The sages took the king to all places of historical significance and asked him to dig the place to build a temple. The king followed the instructions and a grand shrine of the goddess Mangaladevi stood at the holy place. Since then, the temple attained a special importance in the history of Mangalore.
- Architecture: Shree Mangaladevi temple is a true example of the Kerala architectural style. Most of the structure of the temple is made up of wood. One can find the deity in a seated posture in the temple. There is a rectangular wall around the temple that encloses all of the shrines located on premises in the temple boundary. The image of the deity is in the central shrine which can be reached via 5 steps.
- Navratri Festivities: The temple is well known for its stunning Navratri festivities. During the nine days of the Navratri festival, special pujas are performed in the temple’s two storied tower. The beauty of the temple during the Navratri festival is at its peak.
- Dussehra: During the tenth and last day of Navratri festival, the crowd of devotees here is unbelievable. On Dussehra, the goddess is beautifully decorated and mounted on a chariot. A grand procession travels to Marnamikatte where Mangaladevi along with Shami Vriksha are worshipped. Vedic brahmins perform many special pujas and rituals on the day to ask the goddess to bless them with prosperity and happiness.
The Mangaladevi Temple Timings
Topping the list of popular tourist places to visit in Karnataka, Shree Mangaladevi temple in Mangalore is open on all days for the visitors. As far as particular visiting hours are concerned, they are:
- Morning 6 AM till 10 AM
- Noon 12 PM till 1 PM
- Evening 4 PM till 8.30 PM
The everyday pooja timings of Shree Mangaladevi temple in Mangalore are:
- Morning 6 AM
- Afternoon 1 PM
- Evening 8.30 PM
On Friday, the visiting hours in evening are extended till 9 PM and the evening pooja timings change to 9 PM as well.
What Is The Best Way To Reach Shree Mangaladevi Temple?
Address: Mahatobar Shree Mangaladevi Temple, Mangaladevi, Bolar, Mangalore – 575 001
You will be pleased to know that reaching this top tourist place to visit in Karnataka is not at all a difficult task. The Mangalore city is pretty well connected and is easily accessible by almost all of the travel modes.
- By Air: The nearest airport to reach the Mangaladevi temple is located in the city itself. The Mangalore airport is located at a distance of just 16 km from the temple. From the airport, you can easily take a cab or hire a taxi to reach your ultimate destination.
- By Rail: The nearest railway station to reach the Mangaladevi temple is the Mangalore railway station. The railway station is just around 3 kms away from the temple. It will take you even less than a 5 minutes car journey to reach the temple from the railway station.
- By Road: The Mangalore city is well connected via roads as well. There is a great local bus service offered in the city. The city buses no. 27, 27 A and 29 A will take you directly to the temple.
Best Time To Visit Shree Mangaladevi Temple
Though Shree Mangaladevi Temple is open throughout the year but for the best experience, it is recommended to visitors to plan their trip to this popular tourist place in Karnataka during the months of October and March. It is in these months that the festive season of Navratri falls. Though some people may find the place a bit cold during October but with the rush of festivities and celebration, you will hardly feel it.
Places To Visit Near Shree Mangaladevi Temple
With plenty of attractions located nearby, you can combine some while visiting this top tourist place in Karnataka and make the experience memorable.
- Kadri Manjunatheshwara Temple: Sporting a typical early Vijayanagara style of architecture, this is a spectacular temple dedicated to Lord Manjunatha or Lord Shiva.
- Tannirbhavi Beach: Located about 16 km away from the temple, this is one of the most stunning beaches of the city. It is perfect for unwinding and relaxation.