Sri Durga Parameshwari Temple, Mandarthi in Udupi district, Karnataka, is a shrine dedicated to Goddess Durga. The shrine is famous for its traditional rituals and especially the yakshagana.
Apart from Durgaparameshwari, the other deities worshipped in
the temple are Veerabhadra, Adi Subrahmanya, Naga Theertha, Kshetrapala, Bobbarya,
Haiguli, Huli Devaru, Nandikeshwara, Kallukutiga and Shree Chamundeshwari.
🛕 About the Temple & Legend of Mandarthi
Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple in Mandarthi, Udupi district, is a powerful Shakti Peetha with deep mythological roots.
🔱 Origin Legend
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In ancient times, King Shankachood ruled Nagaloka and had five daughters: Devarathi, Nagarathi, Charurathi, Mandarathi, and Neelarathi.
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The princesses aspired to marry Lord Subramanya and journeyed to Kailasa but were cursed by Nandi and turned into snakes.
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These snakes fell to earth and were saved by Rishi Vyaghrapada and later by the exiled King Devavarma, who unknowingly released them near a termite hill.
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One of them, Mandarathi, reached a forest region now known as Mandarthi.
🕉️ Divine Manifestation
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Devavarma later married Princess Jalajakshi, rescued her from a demon named Mahisha, and sought refuge with Sage Sudevamuni.
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When Mahisha attacked, Goddess Durga manifested and destroyed the demons with the help of her attendants (Bhootaganas) like Veerabhadra, Haiguli, Bobbarya.
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Pleased by their devotion, Durga promised to reside in Mandarthi as Sri Durga Parameshwari.
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Later, guided by a dream from Lord Subramanya, Devavarma discovered Durga's idol in the Varahi River and consecrated it at the current temple site.
📅 Major Festivals & Sevas
🌸 Navratri Utsava (Dasara - 9 Days)
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Daily Chandika Homa, Veda Parayana, and Special Alankaras.
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Evening Maha Pooja and Naivedya offerings from 8 households.
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Cultural programs (Yakshagana, dramas) every night.
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Final day: Grand Yakshagana Seva by 5 temple troupes.
🪔 Annual Temple Festival (February)
Celebrated over three days with elaborate rituals:
Day 1
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Kenda Seva (walking over fire)
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Ranga Pooja, Dakke Bali, and Hallittu Seva.
Day 2
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Maha Rathotsava (Car Festival)
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Valaga Mantapa Pooja, Shayanotsava, and Kavata Banda
Day 3
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Gana Homa, Laxmi Mantapa Pooja, Tulabhara Seva
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Palaki Utsava, Suragikatte Pooja, Kere Deepotsava
🎉 Ganeshotsava (2 Days - Bhadrapad Shukla Paksha Chaturthi)
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Organized by local Samithi in temple premises.
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Includes Gana Homa, cultural programs, and competitions (pot breaking, tug of war, pole climbing).
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Immersion procession with music and dance.
🙏 Prathama Seve Aata (November 18)
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Installation of 5 Ganesha idols and Ganahoma.
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Yakshagana performances throughout the night.
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Gejje Seve: Ritual worship of Yakshagana anklets before the season begins.
🌕 Special Kumbha Masa Celebrations (Kumbha Sankramana)
Day 1
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Kenda Seva, Milk Seva to Subramanya Swamy, Dakke Bali, Ranga Pooja.
Day 2
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Maha Rathotsava, Valaga Mantapa Pooja, Shayanotsava.
Day 3
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Gana Homa, Tulabhara Seva, Palaki Utsava, Deepotsava.
🛐 Other Temples & Rituals Nearby
Chamundeshwari Temple
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Special Mari Pooja in Kumbha Masa.
Kallu Malingeshwara Temple
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Deepotsava in Kartika Masa.
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Rudrabhisheka and Yakshagana Seva during Maha Shivaratri.
ℹ️ Devotee Tips
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Visit during Navaratri or Annual Festival in February for grand celebrations.
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Don’t miss the Kenda Seva, unique fire-walking ritual.
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Yakshagana lovers should attend Prathama Seve Aata or Navaratri nights.
Yakshagana Legend at Mandarthi Durgaparameshwari Temple
The Legend of Surgoli Anthu and the Barali Ganapathi
Long ago, there lived a notorious robber named Surgoli Anthu. Despite his unlawful ways, Anthu had a kind heart — he would steal from the rich and share the loot with the poor. He was seen by many as a sort of folk hero, helping the downtrodden in his own unusual way.
One day, Anthu set his sights on the Lord Ganesha Temple perched atop a hill. He believed that the temple held valuable items he could use to aid the needy. But as he climbed the hill, a large elephant suddenly appeared and blocked his path. No matter what he did, Anthu couldn’t get past the animal. Frustrated and confused, he sat down and prayed to Lord Ganesha, pleading not to be stopped in his mission of helping the poor.
To his surprise, Lord Ganesha responded. The deity told him that if his intentions were truly pure, he should come alone — with a heart full of devotion — and take whatever he found first.
Taking this to heart, Anthu returned to the hill alone. As he approached the temple, he discovered a mysterious box placed right at the entrance. He picked it up and began his descent. However, when he reached near the Mandarthi Temple, the box suddenly became incredibly heavy. Curious and concerned, he opened it — only to find a divine idol of Lord Ganesha along with anklets worn by Yakshagana artists.
The idol was so heavy that Anthu couldn’t move it any further. Realizing this was no ordinary item, the idol was consecrated right there — at a place now known as Barali. Over time, it became a place of worship, and the idol came to be revered as Barali Ganapathi.
Though disappointed that he couldn’t take the idol further, Anthu continued walking. As he neared Mandarthi Temple, something extraordinary happened — his assistant spontaneously began dancing after wearing the anklets. At that moment, a divine voice — an Akashavani (celestial message) — echoed from the skies, instructing Anthu to offer the anklets to Goddess Durga at Mandarthi.
This miraculous event gave rise to a lasting tradition at the Mandarthi Temple. From then on, Yakshagana artists began preparing and dressing for performances at the Barali Temple itself, before heading out to perform.
Today, Mandarthi Temple supports five Yakshagana troupes, each with its own bus for transportation. These troupes, known as “Melas,” typically consist of around 45 members. They travel across the region, performing dramatic episodes from epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
In the Karavali coastal region, Yakshagana is more than just a performance — it's a sacred offering. Devotees often sponsor Yakshagana performances, known as “Yakshagana Seva,” as a prayer for their wishes to be fulfilled. Over the years, this art form has become a beautiful blend of spirituality, tradition, and cultural expression, deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.