Mangala Devi Temple
Image Courtesy: mangaloreindia.com
The city Mangalore is called just because of Mangala Devi temple. This temple was built by the Ballal family of Attavar in memory of a Princess of Kerala.
The temple is located in Bolar about few kms from Hampankatta, the temple has its roots into the ninth century. The fervent devotees still today believe that the worship of Mangaldevi brings them wealth and happiness.
In Tulunadu, Kundavarma, the most famous king of Ahepa dynasty was ruling. At that time two holy saints came there of the natha cult named Machendranatha and Gorakanatha from Nepal. By knowing about the advent of the two saints the king came to meet them. Introducing himself as the king of Tulunadu, his respects and offered them all help and patronage. Satisfied with the humbleness and qualities of the king they bought to his knowledge that his kingdom was a emptied place and it was sacred 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 center if their religous activities under his protection and benefaction.
For Kundavarma it was really a surprise to know that his land had such a silver history. It was from these saints he came to know that once upon a time there exists a temple in his land dedicated to mother Mangaladevi. From their own mother he heard the story of Vihasini and Andasura, Parashurama and the temple built by them. 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 relieve the linga and the Dharapatra symbolizing Mangaladevi and establish them in a holy place along with Nagaraja for the protection.
Kundavarma accepted the advice of the two sages. A grand shrine of Sri Mangaldevi stood on the hallowed place. The two sages themselves guided and supervised the carrying out of the work. The temple attained special significance as Mother Mangaladevi granted special favors, particularly on maidens, virtuous maidens who worship the goddess observing Mangaladharavrata will have their wishes fulfilled. They get husbands most suited for them.
Even for today the two temples Mangaladevi and Kadri have maintained their association. The hermits of Kadri Yogirajmutt visit Mangaladevi temple on the first days of Kadri temple festival and offer prayer and silk clothes.
Various pujas and rituals are performed by vedic brahmins on a regular base. During Navarathri special pujas are performed on all the nine days. On the seventh day, Godess Mangaladevi is worshipped as Sharadamba and on the eight day the goddess is worshipped as Maarikamba. On this day Aayuda puja is performed. All the weapons and tools are worshipped as the day marks the slaying of the vindictive demons by the goddess Durga. On the ninth day also known as Mahanavami, a large number of devotees take part in the Rathothsava. The bejeweled goddess in mounted on the imposing chariot and pulled with thick ropes. The procession goes to Marnamikattte where the goddess is worshipped.