Mundkur Durgaparameshwari Temple - Karnataka

Address

Mundkur Durgaparameshwari Temple – Karnataka

P.O. Mundkur
Karkala Taluk,

Udupi District,
Karnataka – 576121.

Amman

Sri Durgaparameshwari

Introduction

Mundkur Durgaparameshwari Temple is believed to be more than 1500 years old. Located in Karkala taluk, Mundkur is an amazing city of temples surrounded by the River Shambhavi on three sides (east, south and west). The temple is 40 kms from Mangalore and 35 kms from Udupi. The prime deity is Sri Durgaparameshwari in the form of Mahishamardini, holding the demon Mahisha upside down and piercing Thrishul on his body. Hence the name Mundakke oori nintha ooru became Mundkurin the later stage as per one version. Other deities being worshiped in Mundkur Durgaparameshwari temple are Sri MahaGanapathi (Kshipraprasaada swaroopi), Navagraha, Naaga, AshwaththaVriksha, Dhoomavathi, Raktheshwari, Vyaghra Chamundi(Pilichandi), Vaarahi (Panjurli) and Rakshopi Devatha (Protector from evil Spirits) in the temple.

Puranic Significance

Legend has it that Goddess Durga Parameshwari slayed the demon Mundaka here as per Skaanda Puraana. The idol was initially installed facing West by Bhargava Rishi. This was at the request of Suratha Raaja after the prathistha of Sri Rajarajeshwari in Pulinapura, now known as Polali. During Jain rule, King Veeravarma was a cruel ruler and dayllight robbery was common. He turned the idol at Mundkur Durgaparameshwari temple towards east to plunder buried riches from underneath the idol. Since then the idol is facing east. Around the same time, legendary warrior twins “Kanthabare” and “Boodabare” lived in a nearby hamlet called Ulepadi. They were great devotees of Goddess Durgaparameshwari of Mundkur and visited the temple daily, crossing river Shambhavi. These warrior twins liberated the area from King Veeravarma’s atrocities after a brave fight. The brave brothers then called the Chowta rulers of Mudbidri and asked them to look after Mundkur region (magane). They readily agreed and systematized the administration of Mundkur.

Many of these legends are known today by word of mouth from Tulu folk songs known as Paddana.

As a token of love and respect the Chowta King donated lots of land, two wooden pillars of a single Jack fruit tree, said to be from the Chowta Palace yard (the biggest and bulkiest in the area, which can be seen even today). The Chowta Queen has donated her precious stone studded ornaments to Durga Devi, which is used for decorating the Main idol in the temple during festivals and special occasions.

The Chowta Rulers visited the Mundkur Durgaparameshwari temple during annual car festival under the personal invitation from the Chief of Madmannaya family.

Special Features

Punarprathishta of Goddess Durgaparameshwari

The Punarprathishta of Goddess Durgaparameshwari was done in newly built sanctum sanctorum in February 2006 followed by the Brahmakalasha. Considering the Golden Jublee year of Silver Palanquin at Mundkur Durgaparameshwari temple, a Golden Palanquin was dedicated by the devotees in February 2009. During the reconstruction of the temple, the original door frames in western portion of the wall of the sanctum sanctorum have been preserved in the temple premises. Kere Pushkarni is there in the west (today known as Sri Bhargava Theertha) and Ashwatha Vriksha in the northwest.