Kadri Manjunatha Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Mangalore International Airport is about 13 km north-east of Mangalore city centre.

• By train

  The city has three railway stations: Mangalore Central, Mangalore Junction and Surathkal.

• By road

  From the city, the temple can be reached by auto or taxi.

Rules to know

• Dress modestly and respectfully inside the temple premises.
• Keep silence and decorum inside the main sanctuary.

Why devotees come here

Kadri Manjunatha Temple stands on Kadri Hill in Mangaluru, a major industrial port city on India's west coast. Its chief deity is Manjunatha, which includes a Shiva linga. The hill complex has natural springs, tanks and old laterite caves.

Legend says Parashurama lived in the Sahyadri hills and killed cruel Kshatriyas. He then gave the lands to Kashyapa. Its chief deity is Shiva as Manjunatha, which incorporates a Shiva linga.

The temple of Manjunatheshwara is said to have been built in the 10th or 11th century. It was converted to a complete stone structure in the 14th century. Karnataka Tourism says local landlords and rulers helped enhance the complex in that period. Historic monuments call the place Kadarika Vihara.

Buddhist monks are said to have made Kadri their base in the 11th century. A bronze of Lokeshwara and Gautama Buddha in the Dhyani posture points to those Buddhist origins. The complex has tanks fed by natural springs, and a spring at an elevated spot behind the temple is called Gomukha.

Festivals

• January, starting on Makara SankranthiJathra Mahothsava

  Nine days of festival start on Makara Sankranthi. Karnataka Tourism also describes an annual car festival at Makar Sankranti, in mid-January.

• Karthika Masa, usually OctoberDeepotsava

  A festival of lamps held during Karthika Masa.

Tips for your visit

• Kadri Park and the Musical Fountain next to the temple have their own timings, so check them separately.
• The ancient Pandava Caves, laterite caves, are next door to the temple.
• Pilikula Nisarga Dhama, Tannirbhavi Beach and Panambur Beach are within a few kilometres of the temple.

Questions people ask