<p>If Rashtrakavi Govind Pai has put Manjeshwar on the literary maps of India, Srimath Anantheshwara temple revered by Gouda Saraswat Brahmins (GSBs) has put the place on spiritual map of the nation. The panoramic view of the shrine with hills on three sides and river Manjeshwar flowing by, is really fascinating.<br /><br />Incidentally, Manjeshwar or Manjulakshetra is known for its temple dedicated to Anantheshwara, that is Lord Shiva accompanied by Shesha or Anantha. Evidently, the town derives its name from the presiding deity Srimath Anantheshwar changed into ‘Madanantheshwar’ and then to Manjeshwar by efflux of time and long usage. <br /><br />According to renowned researcher Govind Pai, though the temple is being managed by the GSB community for the past 1,200 years, this temple dates back perhaps to the pre-Christian era. It is also said that the propounder 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. It is also said that prior to the Shishya Sweekara ceremony of his eight disciples (of the Astha mathas) at Manjeshwar (Kanwateertha), Madhwacharya had visited and prayed at Srimath Anantheshwara Temple.<br /><br />Ruler damages temple<br /><br />The temple like many other ancient temples fell prey to the ravages of man and nature. In 1677, a cyclone devastated certain portions of the temple. 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. <br /><br />In 1804, it was renovated by the GSBs and a new image of Shri Narasimha known as Shri Bhadra Narasimha was installed by Srimath Vibhudendratheertha, the then head of the Kashi Math.<br /><br />After 206 years...<br /><br />Due to natural deterioration process caused by the passage of time, the wooden roofing and the false ceilings etc., are either damaged or have become weak. On a representation by the chief priest, the temple management consulted experts on the subject. Subsequently, in the general body meeting of 18 petas, a committee was formed to execute the project.<br /><br />Interestingly, the renovation, which is in the last phase, is being done without displacing or disturbing the poojas and other rituals of all holy deities. The sanctum sanctorum has the presiding deity of Shri Bhadra Narasimha with Sri Sridevi and Sri Bhudevi, the swayambhoo (self emerged) Linga of Srimath Anantheshwara and centuries old idols of Nagaroopi Sri Subramanya. Behind the Simhasana (altar), is the sacred ‘Rohini’ or Ruvvani (in Konkani), an anthill — the abode of Sri Vasuki. The ‘Rohini’ is surrounded by ancient idols of Sri Ugranarasimha, Sri Vedavyasa, Sri Keshava and many other deities. <br /><br />Speaking to City Herald, Shri Garbhagriha Heernodhara Samithi President M V Bhat said the present generation of Gauda Saraswats are blessed with a very rare opportunity of participating in the renovation of the sanctum sanctorum of the ancient and most revered temple. Stating that the 1300-year-old Mahasesha idol is being replaced with a new one, Bhat said the unique occasion of welcoming the new Sheshaswamy will be celebrated in a grand manner in the form of ‘Gramotsav’ amidst thousands of oil lamps (vishwaroopa darshan) and raining of flowers (pushpavrishti).<br /><br />The 4-day programme scheduled to begin on April 24 will comprise of Sri Sesha Gramotsav, Sri Kalasha Pratishta, Sri Sesha Prathista and Punar Prathista of Sri Maharudra and Sri Mahavishnu yaga.<br /> <br />Temple festivals<br /><br />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 by thousands of devotees. <br /><br />The ‘Ratha’ has a base of 17 square feet, a height of 17 feet in raw and a maximum girth of 53 feet. But when decked for the occasion with all its decorative appurtenances, it rises to a height of 71 feet, and affords an unforgettable experience of solemnity and grandeur as it moves admist a soothing mass of human heads. The Ratha was built in 1834.<br /><br />Social welfare<br /><br />Besides being a religious center, the temple has proved itself a beacon light of learning and social welfare. It runs a full fledged high school, an elementary school, a nursery school, a free boarding house. A library containing books on religion and philosophy, a choultry with all amenities for pilgrims and a hall called Ananda-Kalyanamantapam for conducting marriages, upanayanams, annaprasanam and other socio-religious functions. <br /><br />In addition, it provides scholarships for school and university education. Special mention has to be made for free distribution of rice on Saturdays. Protection and welfare of cattle also comes under its purview. Today, it is the richest Gowda Saraswath temple in the erstwhile South Canara district attracting pilgrims especially from the area extending from Goa to Kanyakumari, informs Bhat.<br /><br />As Kashi Mutt head Srimath Sudheendratheertha Swamiji aptly said: “The foremost temple of the Gauda Saraswats does not belong to any single family or to Manjeshwar town or even to the 18 petas (towns) who send their representatives to administer the temple, but belongs to the entire GSB community.”<br /><br />How to reach?<br /><br />Manjeshwar is situated 17 kms south of Mangalore on the Mangalore - Kasargod road. There is a bus stop near the temple. However, the temple is about 1.5 kms from the Manjeshwar railway station.<br /><br />Rashtrakavi Manjeshwar Govind Pai’s residence too is located close to the temple.<br /><br /><br /><br /></p>
<p>If Rashtrakavi Govind Pai has put Manjeshwar on the literary maps of India, Srimath Anantheshwara temple revered by Gouda Saraswat Brahmins (GSBs) has put the place on spiritual map of the nation. The panoramic view of the shrine with hills on three sides and river Manjeshwar flowing by, is really fascinating.<br /><br />Incidentally, Manjeshwar or Manjulakshetra is known for its temple dedicated to Anantheshwara, that is Lord Shiva accompanied by Shesha or Anantha. Evidently, the town derives its name from the presiding deity Srimath Anantheshwar changed into ‘Madanantheshwar’ and then to Manjeshwar by efflux of time and long usage. <br /><br />According to renowned researcher Govind Pai, though the temple is being managed by the GSB community for the past 1,200 years, this temple dates back perhaps to the pre-Christian era. It is also said that the propounder 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. It is also said that prior to the Shishya Sweekara ceremony of his eight disciples (of the Astha mathas) at Manjeshwar (Kanwateertha), Madhwacharya had visited and prayed at Srimath Anantheshwara Temple.<br /><br />Ruler damages temple<br /><br />The temple like many other ancient temples fell prey to the ravages of man and nature. In 1677, a cyclone devastated certain portions of the temple. 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. <br /><br />In 1804, it was renovated by the GSBs and a new image of Shri Narasimha known as Shri Bhadra Narasimha was installed by Srimath Vibhudendratheertha, the then head of the Kashi Math.<br /><br />After 206 years...<br /><br />Due to natural deterioration process caused by the passage of time, the wooden roofing and the false ceilings etc., are either damaged or have become weak. On a representation by the chief priest, the temple management consulted experts on the subject. Subsequently, in the general body meeting of 18 petas, a committee was formed to execute the project.<br /><br />Interestingly, the renovation, which is in the last phase, is being done without displacing or disturbing the poojas and other rituals of all holy deities. The sanctum sanctorum has the presiding deity of Shri Bhadra Narasimha with Sri Sridevi and Sri Bhudevi, the swayambhoo (self emerged) Linga of Srimath Anantheshwara and centuries old idols of Nagaroopi Sri Subramanya. Behind the Simhasana (altar), is the sacred ‘Rohini’ or Ruvvani (in Konkani), an anthill — the abode of Sri Vasuki. The ‘Rohini’ is surrounded by ancient idols of Sri Ugranarasimha, Sri Vedavyasa, Sri Keshava and many other deities. <br /><br />Speaking to City Herald, Shri Garbhagriha Heernodhara Samithi President M V Bhat said the present generation of Gauda Saraswats are blessed with a very rare opportunity of participating in the renovation of the sanctum sanctorum of the ancient and most revered temple. Stating that the 1300-year-old Mahasesha idol is being replaced with a new one, Bhat said the unique occasion of welcoming the new Sheshaswamy will be celebrated in a grand manner in the form of ‘Gramotsav’ amidst thousands of oil lamps (vishwaroopa darshan) and raining of flowers (pushpavrishti).<br /><br />The 4-day programme scheduled to begin on April 24 will comprise of Sri Sesha Gramotsav, Sri Kalasha Pratishta, Sri Sesha Prathista and Punar Prathista of Sri Maharudra and Sri Mahavishnu yaga.<br /> <br />Temple festivals<br /><br />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 by thousands of devotees. <br /><br />The ‘Ratha’ has a base of 17 square feet, a height of 17 feet in raw and a maximum girth of 53 feet. But when decked for the occasion with all its decorative appurtenances, it rises to a height of 71 feet, and affords an unforgettable experience of solemnity and grandeur as it moves admist a soothing mass of human heads. The Ratha was built in 1834.<br /><br />Social welfare<br /><br />Besides being a religious center, the temple has proved itself a beacon light of learning and social welfare. It runs a full fledged high school, an elementary school, a nursery school, a free boarding house. A library containing books on religion and philosophy, a choultry with all amenities for pilgrims and a hall called Ananda-Kalyanamantapam for conducting marriages, upanayanams, annaprasanam and other socio-religious functions. <br /><br />In addition, it provides scholarships for school and university education. Special mention has to be made for free distribution of rice on Saturdays. Protection and welfare of cattle also comes under its purview. Today, it is the richest Gowda Saraswath temple in the erstwhile South Canara district attracting pilgrims especially from the area extending from Goa to Kanyakumari, informs Bhat.<br /><br />As Kashi Mutt head Srimath Sudheendratheertha Swamiji aptly said: “The foremost temple of the Gauda Saraswats does not belong to any single family or to Manjeshwar town or even to the 18 petas (towns) who send their representatives to administer the temple, but belongs to the entire GSB community.”<br /><br />How to reach?<br /><br />Manjeshwar is situated 17 kms south of Mangalore on the Mangalore - Kasargod road. There is a bus stop near the temple. However, the temple is about 1.5 kms from the Manjeshwar railway station.<br /><br />Rashtrakavi Manjeshwar Govind Pai’s residence too is located close to the temple.<br /><br /><br /><br /></p>
