Mundkur Shri Durgaparameshwari Temple 4.39

Along the river Shambhavi in Dakshina Kannada, an unbelievable number of ancient and beautiful temples exist. Most of these are thousands of years old and carry an amazing amount of historical significance. There are mainly a lot of Shiva and Durga temples along this line.

Sri Mundkur Durga Parameshwari Temple is another such wonderful temple. It is along the Shambhavi river coast. As per available ancient records and Skanda Purana Sage Bhargava Rishi has installed Sri Durga in Mundagne Nagara (the place where demon Mundaka was killed) for the benefit of the devotees who will get all their desire fulfillment as blessings from HER the Goddess Durga. The idol was facing west, was turned to east by a Jain ruler called Veera Varma who removed lots of wealth from the bottom of the Moola Vigraha . The Great hero brothers of Tulunadu Kanthabare and Budabare killed Veeraverma and restored the peace in Mundkur Maagane by handing over the charges to moodabidre Chowtas as per Pardana(Legendary Tulu Folk Song).

Mundkur Maagane contains the three villages of Mundkur, Mulladka and Inna; with its border till Elluru in the North, Yelinje in the South, Bola in the East and Ulepady in the West. There are Mahalingeshwara Temples in the Four corners of Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple of Mundkur( South East: Posral; South West: Ulepady; North West: Inna Muddannu; North East: Bola Mahalingeshwara temples) which were constructed centuries later.

The prime deity is Sri Durgaparameshwari in the form of Mahishamardini, holding the demon Mahisha upside down and piercing thrishul on his body. Hence the name Mundakke oori nintha OOru became Mundkur in the later stage as per one version. Other deities being worshiped are Sri MahaGanapathi (Kshipraprasaada swaroopi), Navagraha, Naaga, AshwaththaVriksha, Dhoomavathi, Raktheshwari, Vyaghra Chamundi(Pilichandi), Vaarahi (Panjurli) and Rakshopi Devatha (Protector from evil Spirits)in the temple. Photos of Sri Madhvacharya, Sri Vadiraja swamiji, Sri Raghavendra Swamiji, and Sri Bhootharaja are installed in Sri Madhva Mandira, where bhajans and poojas are held regularly.

Mundkur is in the extreme border of Udupi District. Devotees coming from Mangalore can take the route of Bajpe-Kateel-Kinnigoli-Mundkur and from Udupi – Katpadi-Manchakal-Belmannu-Mundkur. Regular Buses are available from Mangalore, Udupi, Karkala, Moodabidri, kinnigoli to Mundkur.