Mangalore, July 23, 2013: Generally Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts are referred to as districts of temples. But the statistics available on the website of Muzrai Department listing recognised temples show that the two do not figure in the top 10 districts. However, the fact remains that temples in the two districts are better known than those in other districts.

Temples such as Kukke Subrahmanya Temple, Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple and Kateel Shri Durgaparameshwari Kshetra are very well known both within and without the district. The popularity of Mookambika Temple in Kollur, Udupi district, and the Udupi Krishna Math Temple transcends the State’s borders.

Chandrashekar Damle, a former Professor of Sociology at Nehru Memorial College, Sullia, said that temples in the district have been projected well and hence they take the limelight compared with those in other districts.

Mr. Damle said that many astrologers in Kannada television channels, which telecast religious programmes every morning, suggest devotees to visit either Kukke Subrahmanya and/or Dharmasthala Manjunatha temples to get rid of divine wrath. There is a queue of people who wish to perform “sarpa samskara” and “ashlesha bali” in Subrahmanya Temple. The Dharmasthala deity Lord Manjunatheswara is considered the God of Truth. In addition, Dharmasthala temple offers an out-of-the-court justice settlement system. The visit of cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and many film stars to Kukke Subrahmanya and the media coverage on it has prompted many to throng to the temple. Some of those who come to these temples also go to other nearby temples like Kateel, Udupi Krisha Math and Kollur Mookambika Temple. The temple at Kollur also attracts large number of pilgrims, especially from Kerala. Carnatic vocalist K.J. Yesudas visits the temple regularly each year.

Mr. Damle said that temples had “rajashraya” during rulers. A Kannada book titled “Dakshina Kannada Jilleya Ithihasa Mattu Puratatava” published by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Mysore in 2007, quotes writer Keladi Venkatesh Jois in an article on Keladi rulers, who says that a Keladi dynasty ruler Venkatappa Nayaka “…extended Kollur Mookambika temple…” The same ruler built Jangama Maths in places like Karkala, Moodbidri, Gurupura, Bantwal, and Shankaranarayana.

It records that Keladi Chennamma had donated land for building “Milagri” church (Milagres church) in Mangalore (another book “Ekata” which is a directory of Christian churches also records this). She also built the chariot of Polali Rajarajeshwari temple in 1676.

Tukaram Poojary, Professor of History and founder of the Rani Abbakka Adhyayana Kendra, Bantwal, said that competitions among religions has given way for the birth of temples, churches and mosques in the coastal belt.

Dakshina Kannada and Udupi can also be called the land of churches and mosques.

According to “Ekata”, the directory of Christian Churches in the twin districts published by Ronald Cutinha, Director of Samanvaya, Mangalore in 2003, some of the most famous and revered churches are the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary (also known as Rosario Cathedral) at Bolar, Church of Our Lady of Miracles (known as Milagres Church) at Hampankatta, Chapel of St. Aloysius near St. Aloysius College, and the Church of St. Joseph at Jeppu.

“Rosario Cathedral at Bolar is one of the three most ancient churches in the diocese of Mangalore. Italian traveller Pietro Della Valle who visited Mangalore in 1623 mentions it along with the Our Lady of Mercy at Ullal and St. Francis of Assisi at Farangipet,” he says. The Portuguese built the Rosario Cathedral when they landed in 1568. The Roys stone emblem of the Portuguese King marking their landing at Mangalore lies at the entrance of the Cathedral. Fr. Willy constructed St. Aloysius Chapel in 1890.

Writer Prabhakara Shishila said that mosques might have come up due to trade links the district had with the Arabs.

Raviprasad Kamila

Source: The Hindu, DT. July 23, 2013.