About mangaladevi

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Situated 3 Km Southwest of Mangalore City, this temple has influence

on the name and importance of Mangalore. The word Mangalore is derived

from Goddess Mangaladevi, the main deity of the temple. The temple

built in memory of the princess of Malabar Mangale in the 10th

century. The Goddess Mangale is worshiped as Shakti. The festival is

celebrated during 9 days of Navaratri (October).

 

Goddess Mangadevi, Mangalore

 

History:

Veerabahu was the king of Tulunadu. When he became old he handed over

his kingdom to Bangaraja with the approval of his master sage

Bharadharaja. Veerabahu had no children and after relieving himself of

the responsibilities of the king became a recluse.

 

Bangaraja proved a worthy successor to Veerabahu. He ruled his kingdom

well and brought more glory and fame to his kingdom. On a certain

night while he was sleeping Goddess Mangaladevi appeared in his dream

and revealed to him that at the spot where Netravathi and Phalguni

rivers converge there is a mound under which lay the remains of a

shrine. Mother Goddess bade him to relieve from the remains the

Shivashakthi Linga and the Dharapatra and install them in a shrine

newly built. Then, she further said arrangements be made for the

regular worship in the temple. She promised him that these services

would bring him glory and happiness.

 

The king, not being able to decide as to what he should do consults

sage Bharadhwaja. Bharadhwaja saint was very much pleased with the

king and encouraged him to fulfill the wishes of the Mother goddess.

He wanted him to know the past events, which had made the place a

hallowed and blessed one. Listening to the story of Vikhasini,

Andasura and also sage Parasurama, Bhangaraja decided to execute the

responsibility entrusted to him by Goddess Mangaladevi herself.

 

Thus a beautiful shrine was built and the Linga Symbolizing Shiva and

Shakti, along with Dharapatra were installed. Once again the splendor

of the shrine began to attract the pious people.

 

At the later stage, Kundavarma once again renovated the temple where

it was in a dilapidated condition under the guidance of Matsyendranath

and Goraknath, holy saints of the Natha cult. In Tulunadu, Kundavarma,

the most famous king of Alupa Dynasty was ruling. At that time, there

came two sages named Matsyendranath and Goraknatha from Nepal. They

reached Mangalapura (today's Mangalore), crossing the river

Netravathi. The place where they crossed the river came to be known as

'Gorakdandi'. They chose a place near the bank of Netravathi, which

was once the centre of activities of sage Kapila. He had his hermitage

there and it was a great centre of education.

 

Hearing about the arrival of two saints the king came to meet them.

Introducing himself as the king of Tulunadu he paid them his respects

and offered them help and patronage. Pleased with the humility and

virtues of the king they brought to his knowledge that his kingdom was

a hallowed place and it was sanctified 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 centre of their

religious activities under his protection and patronage.

 

For Kundavarma it was really a surprise to know that his land had such

a hoary 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 Vikasini and

Andasura, Parasurama and the temple built by him. The two saints took

the king to 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 install them in a shrine along

with Nagaraja for the protection.

 

Kundavarma carried out the advice of the two sages. A grand shrine of

Shri Mangaladevi stood on the hallowed place. The two sages themselves

guided and supervised the execution of the work. The temple attained

special significance, as Mother Mangaladevi granted special favors,

especially on Maidens, Pious Maidens who worship the goddess observing

Mangaladharavrata (Swayamvara Parvathi) will have their wishes

fulfilled. They get husbands most suited for them.

 

Even today the two temples, Mangaladevi and Kadri have maintained

their connection. The hermits of Kadri Yogirajmutt visit Mangaladevi

temple on the first days of Kadri temple festival and offer prayer and

silk cloth.

 

The place name Mangalapura owes its origin to the temple of

Mangaladevi. The pious people even today believe that worship of

Mangaladevi brings them prosperity and happiness. The temple has a

special significance for the maidens. Maidens who observe Mangala

Parvati Vrata will have their wish of having a suitable match,

fulfilled. Those who celebrate their wedding in this holy place will

have a happy married life.

 

source :

http://www.ourkarnataka.com/states/mangalore/mangaladevitemple.htm