Kudroli Gokarnanatha Temple is located just 3 km from heart of Mangalore city. The beautiful temple at Kudroli id dedicated to Lord Gokarnanatheshwara, an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
About Kudroli Gokarnanatha Temple :
The Gokarnanatheshwara Temple, otherwise known as Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatha Kshetra, is in the Kudroli area of Mangalore in Karnataka, India. It was consecrated by Narayana Guru. It is dedicated to Gokarnanatha, a Hindu deity also known as Shiva. Compared to the other temples in and around Mangalore this temple was built recently.
Kudroli Gokarnanatha Temple is located just 3 km from heart of Mangalore city. The beautiful temple at Kudroli id dedicated to Lord Gokarnanatheshwara, an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
It is believed that this place is used to graze land for the horses during the rule of Tipu Sultan. Hence, the name ‘Kudre’ (horse) ‘vali’ which was transformed into kudroli over time.
Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatha Kshetra was started in 1912 by his holiness Narayana Guru, a social reformer and a saint. The original temple structure was constructed in the Kerala style, recently the temple was renovated in 1991 and now it is in the Chola style.
The main deity of the kshetra is Lord Sri Gokarnanatha (Lord Shiva) and other idols of the kshetra are Lord Ganapathy, Lord Subramanya, Goddess Annapoorneshwari, Lord Bhairava, the Nava Grahas and Lord Shaneshwara.
Attraction Kudroli Gokarnanatha Temple :
History Kudroli Gokarnanatha Temple :
The Billava community was traditionally suppressed by the upper caste treating them as untouchables. It is in such a scenario that the community found a messiah in Narayana Guru. Narayana Guru has been regarded as the uplifter of the downtrodden and a visionary social servant.
Learning about the work undertaken by Narayana Guru in establishing social equality through his temples in Kerala, a prominent Billava leader from the community Sahukar Koragappa visited the Guru along with the leaders of the community in 1908. The delegation appraised Narayana Guru about the problems faced by the Billawas.
Narayana Guru visited Mangalore on invitation from this delegation and ascertained for himself the exactness of the prevailing situation. After visiting, Narayana Guru selected the place in Kudroli and advised the community elders about a suitable location to build their temple; work began under his direction. Elders such as Sahukar Koragappa took the initiative in ensuring smooth progress in the temple’s construction.
Gokarnanatha Kshethra, Mangalore, foundation stone was originally laid by the couple Siri Amma Poojaarthi and Chennappa Poojaary in 1908. They were foster parents of Koragappa Poojaary. Chennappa Poojaary is the son of Ugga Poojaary who was responsible to build Brahma Baidarkala Garadi Kshethra, Kankannady, Mangalore in the year 1882. Later the divine Shiva Linga was consecrated by Narayana Guru in Gokarnanatha Kshethra.[1]
Narayana Guru formally consecrated the temple in February 1912 with the establishment of sacred Shiva Linga, which was brought by him. He named this place as Gokarnanatha Kshethra. Narayana Guru advocated that all God’s creation had the right to worship the Almighty and preached that people irrespective of the caste, creed or religion must worship one divine force, known by different names.
Celebrations & Poojas :
The Kshethra observes days of religious significance such as Mahashivarathri and Maha Navarathri with traditional gaiety and splendor. The Kshethra is renowned for its Dasara festivities too. In addition to Sharadha Maatha and Maha Ganapathy, life size idols of Navadurgas are installed in the Kshethra premises very attractively in this occasion and all religious rites observed for the entire period. Tableaus float from a special part of the festivities and are taken round the main thoroughfares of Mangalore. Idols are then immersed in the well-decorated temple ponds in the presence of devote.
Besides, these festivals, other prominent Hindu festivals such as Ganesh Chathurthi, Sri Krishnashtami, Sri Ramanavami, Deepavali, Sankashta Chathurthi, is being observed. The birthday of the founder of this Kshethra, Sri Narayana Guru too is ceremoniously followed. The Kshethra also follows the ritual of feeding devotees who visit it on daily. Community Sri Satyanarayana Pooja, Sri Shani Pooja, free mass marriages and distribution of scholarship to deserving students too is a tradition of this Kshethra.
Today the Kshethra attracts devotees from all religions and communities and in the guideline of Sri Narayana Guru’s preaching the Kshethra can be rightly called as the centre point of all religions symbolizing “Unity in Diversity”.
How To Reach Here :
From the main bus stand (State Bank bus stand) of Hampankatta of Mangalore city, one can reach the temple by catching city bus (nos. 1, 13, 13A) and getting down at Kudroli stop (in front of temple Main Gate). It is just half an hour journey by bus. New visitors can reach by hiring auto-rickshaws, which may cost around Rs.15/-.
Address :
Shree Gokarnanatha Kshethra
Kudroli,
Mangalore – 575003
Karnataka –
INDIA
GRAMS: SHIVALAYA
Phone: 91-(0) 824-494040, 495740
Seva List :
1. Shiva Pooja 25-00
2. Maha Pooja 75-00
3. Maha Rudrabhishekha 500-00
4. Trikala Pooja 75-00
5. Swayam Archana 20-00
6. Bhilwa Patra Archana 15-00
7. Kalashabhisheka 50-00
8. Shankabhisheka 50-00
9. Ksheerabhishekha 50-00
10. Thylabhishekha 50-00
