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.
History
Narayana Guru: Spiritual Guru of Billavas. Founder of the 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.
The view of the temple pond showing the statue of Shiva
As per the Guru's advice, idols of Ganapathy, Subramanya,
Annapoorneshwari, Bhairava, the Nava Grihas (Lords of nine planets),
Shanishwara and Krishna are installed at the Kshethra. This has helped
devotees worship at all these sannidanams (abodes) and seek blessings
and solace for their problems. Sahukar Koragappa then donated the land
needed for the Kshethra. He was also chosen as its first administrative
head.
The temple was renovated under the leadership of Central Finance Minister
B. Janardhana Poojary
in 1989 and was completed within two years in 1991. The renovated
Gokarnanatha Kshethra was inaugurated by the prime minister of India
Rajiv Gandhi under the presidency of B. Janardhan Poojary in 1991. Poojary is the main architect of Mangalore Dasara.
The temple was renovated in 1989 under the leadership of B. Janardhan
Poojary and under the guidance of Somasunderam, son of Koragappa.
Sthapadi K. Dakshinamoorthy was the architect who designed and built the
present temple in the
Chola
style of architecture from its original Kerala style. The new gopuram
is 60 feet in height and very beautiful. A marble statue of Narayana
Guru was erected in the entrance of the temple and a crown studded with
precious gems was given by the devotees. It's estimated the renovation
cost Rs. 1 crore, and now it has become one of the largest temple in
Mangalore.
[2]
Later in the year 2007 Bhagwaan Hanumaan Mandir was built in the
Gokarnanatha Kshethra premises at the entrance under the leadership of
B. Janardhan Poojary. Bhagwaan Hanumaan Mandir in turn adds beauty to
the Kshethra.
Festivals
Guru Jayanthi celebration at the temple
The temple observes many festivals.
Maha Shivaratri,
Navrathri, Krishnashtami,
Ganesh Chaturthi, Nagara Panchami,
Deepavali,
Dasara,
Sri Narayana Jayanthi are celebrated with traditional gaiety and splendour. It has worshipers from all over the world. The temples branches are in
Mulki,
Udupi
and Katpady. In addition to idols of Sharada Matha and Maha Ganapati,
life-size idols of Nava Durgas are installed in the premises in an
attractive way during Navaratri. All religious rites are observed for
the entire period. Tableaux form a special part of the festivities and
are taken around the main thoroughfares of Mangalore. Idols are then
immersed in the well-decorated temple ponds in the presence of devotees.
The dasara festival is celebrated with much grandeur. The dasara
celebrations of this temple is popularly called Mangalore Dasara.
Durga statues installed during Dasara
The birthday of Sri Narayana Guru is ceremoniously followed. The
Kshethra also follows the ritual of feeding devotees who visit it daily.
Community Sri Satyanarayana Pooja, Sri Shani Pooja, free mass marriages
and distribution of scholarship to deserving students are traditions,
too. Today, the Kshethra attracts devotees from all religions and
communities. The Billava community has come of age. The Kshethra can be
rightly called the melting pot of all religions symbolising unity in
diversity.
[1][2]
Mangalore Dasara is celebrated in a very spectacular way by
worshiping the idol of Ganesh, Adhi Shakthi Maatha, Sharada Maatha,
Navadurgas such as Shaila Puthri Maatha, Brahmachaarini Maatha,
Chandrakaantha Maatha, Kushmaandini Maatha, Skanda Maatha, Kathyaahini
Maatha, Maha Kaali Maatha, Maha Gowri Maatha and Siddhi Dhaathri Maatha
under the leadership of B. Janardhan Poojary. Poojary was the first
person responsible to start the worship of Navadurgas and the other
idols at one place in the history of universe. All these idols are
grandly worshiped for nine days of navarathri. On the tenth day, these
idols are taken in the grand procession of Mangalore Dasara throughout
the city; the procession returns back to Gokarnanatha Kshethra on the
next day morning where all the above idols are immersed in the lake
inside the temple premises.
Earlier, from 1912 to 1990 during dasara only the idol of Sharada
Maatha was being worshiped. In 1991 Poojary gave a new dimension not
only to the dasara and to the people of Mangalore but also to the entire
universe by worshiping Navadurgas and all the other mentioned idols.
Location
This temple is situated in Kudroli area (about 5 km from the City Bus Stand) in the city of
Mangalore.