Manjeshwar, the northern most point of Kerala got that name from the deity Sri Manjarisha or Srimath Anantheshwara of the sacred Manjeshwar Temple.
Srimath Anantheshwara Temple is considered as the most ancient existing temple of the Gowda Saraswat Brahmins. One can see in this temple the installation of Paramashiva accompanied by Anantha (Adi Sesha).
The Siva Linga in this temple is believed to be self-emerged. Besides the image of Shiva, the temple has images of Lord Narasimha and Subramanya, the latter deity rarely worshipped in South Canara.
The parivara devatas in temple include Mahaganapathi, Mahalaxmi, Hanuman, Rudra and Garuda. Shesha Theertha, the most sacred theertha (pond) of Manjeshwar has been located on the southwest direction of the temple.
The known history of the temple goes back to 8th century AD. It is also said that the proponent of Dwaitha philosophy — Madhwacharya, the founder of the present Sri Kashi Math - Guruvarya Sri Vijayeendra Teertha, founder of Sri Natha Sampradaya-Sri Matsyendranath, and many other sages and Mathadipathis have visited and performed their penance in the holy precincts of this shrine.
In the past, the temple had faced many attacks from the different rulers. It was looted by Muhamed Ali, the ruler of Cannanore and immediately after by a Maratha pirate Angira in about 1755. In 1799, after the fall of Tippu Sulthan, who had held sway over South Canara and with the consequent coming into power of the Ruler of Vittal, the latter plundered it and carried away a large booty including a temple chariot.
However, as a result of the representations made by the Gowda Saraswaths to the British authorities, the ruler of Vittal was captured and the properties looted by him were restored to the temple.
Of the many festivals in the Temple, the annual Car festival which falls on the sixth day of the bright half of the month of “Margshirsha” (November / December) is the most important.
The day is known in popular parlance as the “Manjeshwar Shasti” and coincides with “Skhanda Shasti” in other parts of South India. On that day, the six - wheeled chariot called “Brahma Ratha” is pulled along the Car Street so-called from its use, by thousands of votaries coming from far and near.
How to Reach
By train: The temple is situated 1.5 km from Manjeshwar Railway Station and about 45 minutes by bus from Mangalore.