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Feb 21 2009

Mangalore is beautiful

Published by travelnxt under Karnataka Edit This

About Mangalore Tourism

A city of multiple cultures, Mangalore is a seaside town on the Konkan coast, and a very important port city of the state of Karnataka. The origin of the city’s name is from the Goddess Mangaladevi. However, there are many references to this city by names that are slightly different. For instance it was called ‘Managalapuram’ in 715 AD by a Pandya King, while in the 11th century an Arabian traveler called it ‘Manjarur’. Today, its new name is ‘Mangalooru’, renamed by the Karnataka Government. The city of Mangalore is a scenic city dotted with coconut palms, hills and streams, and is known for its temples and beaches.

Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatheshwara Temple
Kudroli-Gokarnateshwara temple

This temple has to its credit the fact that it is the only temple in Karnataka built by Shree Narayana Guru. The Guru was a great philosopher and social reformer and he hailed from Kerala. During his visit to Mangalore in the year 1912, he expressed his wish for the Billavas to have a temple of their own. This wish was translated into reality when this temple came into being. It  was built by a devote called H. Koragappa in the year 1912. Compared to other temples in and around Mangalore, this one is a recent inclusion.

 

Situated in the city of Mangalore, this beautiful temple is the abode of Gokarnatha, another name of Lord Shiva.

 

Incidentally, the name of this place has an interesting past. 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.

 

 

Mangaladevi Temple
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This place of worship is located at a distance of 3kms from Mangalore. The word “Mangalore” is derived from Goddess Mangaladevi, the main deity in this temple. Travelling back in time, Mangaladevi was a princess from Kerala (Malabar), who came into this region accompanying Matsyendranatha, one of the propounders of the Nath cult. It is said that she breathed her last on this land.

 

The natives of the land have staunch faith in this deity. They believe that she bestows their land with happiness and prosperity. She is also referred to as “Shakti” (meaning strength). It is also believed that ladies who fast (observe the “Mangala Parvati Vrata” as it is called) will have their wishes fulfilled and bestowed with a good marriage. Therefore, the temple has a special significance for maidens. It is also believed that those who conduct their marriage in this temple will have a happy married life.

 

Other festivals such as Ganesha Chaturthi and Dussera are celebrated here with great enthusiasm. Navaratri is also celebrated with great pomp since the temple is dedicated to a powerful Goddess. The temple was built by Ballal family of Attavar.

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