Kunjarugiri Parashurama Temple is
located atop Parashurama Giri (Vimana Giri
Hill) and is around 11 km from Udupi in Kurkal Village in Karnataka. The murti
of Parashurama in the temple is carved out of black stone. He holds axe in his
right hand and a bow in the left hand.
Legend has it that Kanava Maharishi installed the murti of
Parashurama temple. The temple and other structure is believed to have build
during the Vijayanagara era.
Another legend states that Parashurama installed the Durga
Murti in the famous Durga Parameshwari Temple at Kunjagiri and mediated a cave
in the base of the mountain.
Four ponds were created here by Parashuram using his axe –
Parashu Teertha, Gadha Teertha, Bana Teertha and Dhanusu Teertha.
Whenever there is a dispute regarding land people come to
the temple to find a solution.
The temple is open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Temples dedicated to Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu, are very rare. Majority of the temples dedicated to Parashurama are found in Kerala and coastal Karnataka.