Kadiyali Mahishamardini Temple — Attraction in Karnataka

Kadiyali Mahishamardini Temple of Udupi is one of the oldest temples in the district of South Kanara and has a history of more than 1200 years. According to the famed archaeologist, Late Dr. P. Gururaja Bhatt, this Temple is as ancient as Sri Ananteshwara Temple of Udupi, established early as in the 7th Century and is thus more ancient than the Lord Sri Krishna Temple. He based this opinion on the style of sculpture of the Vigraha (statue) of Kadiyali Mahishamardini, which resembles the style of Chalukyas of Badami.The unique features of the statue are as follows The statue of Mahishamardini is in a standing posture. She has four arms. In Her upper right hand, She holds the Prayaga Chakra (the discus) and in Her upper left hand, the Shanka (conch shell). She is piercing the head of Mahishaasura, the buffalo shaped demon, who has fallen at Her feet, with the Trishul (Trident) held in Her lower right hand. She is pulling the tail of Mahishaasura with Her lower left hand. This emphatically portrays the helplessness of the Demon whose abdomen is bulging due to the pressure exerted by the pulling of his tail. The bearing of the Goddess in the standing posture, Her facial expression and the casual way of Her holding the weapons shows that it is but a child's play for Her to vanquish evil. This is a sculpture of unique beauty, devoid of any ornamental trappings. One falls under Her divine spell the moment they lay eyes on Her.Kadiyali part of Udupi or Shivalli in the district of South Kanara, has claimed to be regarded as one of the most ancient and reputed centres of Shakti worship in Karnataka. This claim for recognition is not based on the magnificence of any architectural execution in this area, for a historian or archaeologist will have hardly anything to be seized with spectacular physical expression. An ordinary stone structure of the medium size with slanting roofs covered by thick granite slabs, very characteristic of the Western Coast, particularly of the Kanara Districts and Kerala, is the abode of Goddess Durga. This edifice is ascribable to circa 10th...

The oldest temple of South Karnataka is the Kadiyali Mahishamardini temple near Udupi. Rich history of temple dates back to about 1200 years ago. It has been confirmed by archaeologists that the temple was established in the 7th century and is an old form of the Lord Krishna temple (the most famous temple in Udupi). The person who discovered the temple was (late) Dr. Guru Raja Bhatt.

The famous statue of Vigraha is present in the temple and it is carved in the famous Badami style of the Chaluykas. The characteristics of idol are as follow-

1. The statue is in standing position
2. The statue has four arms
3. There is a Prayaga Chakra in her upper right hand
4. Shanka in her upper extreme left hand
5. The head is in the shape of Mahishaasura
6. Holds a Trishul in lower right hand
7. There is a devil beneath her leg
8. In her lower left hand she has Mahishaasura’s tail

The statue is a powerful symbolic representation of good prevailing over the evil. It signifies that the demon is helpless in front of the Goddess’s power and she is holding his head in her hand as a sign of victory over him. The expressions of the face is also beautifully drawn. No ornaments are used to make this statue look beautiful but even though it seems majestically attractive. The weapons are also made in such a way that they look absolutely original.

Location of Kadiyali Mahishamardini Temple

Now, if you are planning to visit the temple then you must have full knowledge of where exactly the temple is located and how far away it is from major cities. To start with, it is only 3 kms from the city of Manipal, 6 kms from Malpe, 30 kms from Kundapur, 60 kms from Manglore and about 110 kms from Dharmasthala. It is a little bit too far from Bangalore; at a distance of about 425 kms. The airport of Mangalore is nearest airport and Udupi's railway station, the nearest railway station to the place. You can very conveniently choose to travel by bus and there are quite a number of frequent buses running...

CASTE DISCRIMINATION WHILE OFFERING FOOD IN TEMPLE..

Temple is very good. Its one of the old temple. But while offering prasadam (lunch) they offer separately for Brahmins and non Brahmins (Its clearly shows caste discrimination). We were standing in queue for food but later we observed that they ask the people if they were Brahmin or not. If the person is Brahmin they make them to sit inside in separate hall. Then I didn't feel like having the food there where they see people based on caste. We left temple without having food.

Seriously such people still exists. Even Udupi stands top in Education but people are of very backward and of CHEAP MENTALITY. I really didn't expect this discrimination in temple. I have given 1 rating for cheap mentality. I wish i could give 1/4 rating but no option for that.

God look people based on their devotion and good deeds not on caste. But still no one is complaining about this issue. Every one has closed their eyes. Every old useless tradition must stop... All are equal under law and also under God.

My advice for people is to raise their voice against this caste discrimination. If you still support this I have no words to say you. If all people raise their voice it will come to end otherwise it will continue. By this Brahmin will always feel superior and other people as downward class. So people please raise your voice...