Rama Bhoja, The Taulava King:
Several centuries ago, an extremely valorous and prosperous King Rama Bhoja, ruled this Taulava region. He was blessed with all kinds of riches and health but was childless. He approached Lord Parashurama to seek a solution in this regard. As per Lord’s instructions, he decided to perform Putrakameshti Yaga.
Rajatapeetha:
As a part of the process, he started tilling the land with a Golden Plough under which a serpent got killed. In order to overcome this Sarpahatya Dosha, as per Lord Parashurama’s instructions, he got a Magnanimous Silver Plate or Platform designed and done. This huge silver platform that spanned across 3 Square
Miles with several inches thickness is denoted as Rajatapeetha.
Ananteshwara (Ananthapadmanabha, Lord Vishnu):
The king also instated an exquisitely enchanting Golden Idol that resembles Shape of a Shiva Linga and placed it right at the center of Rajatapeetha and submitted it to Lord Parashurama in which Lord placed his divine presence.
The King also donated this adorable Rajatapeetha with the Splendid Golden Idol of Lord to a Special sect of Brahmins who descended from Sanu Pradesh (Himachal) in order to perform daily pooja and relevant offerings and rituals to Lord. These Brahmins started worshipping Lord Vishnu or Narayana in the form of Ananthapadmanabha in this idol. Lord apparently has shown his divine presence by appearing in this form.
Sumadhwavijaya states explicitly Lord’s Ananta Padmanabha, Hari, Vishnu, Narayana forms in several verses, few are listed below:
- Mukundam Mudaa Samvide bhaja (11/4)
- Naaraayanam Kulapatim Sharanam Vrajema (18/2)
- RajatapeethaPuradhivasam Bhujangashayanam Bheje (19/2)
- Swaswaamine aarpayat (31/2)
- Natvaa Harim Rajatapeethapuraadhivaasam (32/2)
Rajatapeethapura:
It is from this day that this region got the name Rajatapeethapura which is today’s Udupi The Golden Idol in which Lord Ananthapadmanabha resides is today’s Anantaasana or Ananteshwara.
King Rama Bhoja also instated:
- Four Durga Layas in Four Directions (Sides) of Rajatapeetha
- Indrali – East Side
- Puttur – West Side
- Kadiyaali – North Side
- Bailur – South Side
- Four Skandalayas in Four Corners of Rajatapeetha
- Mangodu – Nairutya [Southwest]
- Tangodu – Eeshanya [Northeast]
- Aritodu – Vayavya [Northwest]
- Muchilkodu – Aagneya [Southeast]
as a mark of protection and security to the platform and idol. King Ramabhoja also invited a specific sect of Brahmins of Vishwamitra Gotra, who were experienced worshippers of Skanda from a place called Skandavara in Himalayas. The king gave them large chunks of land and lots of money enough for their livelihood and annointed them to worship Subrahmanya (the deity) in all the four skandalayas.
After all these significant offerings and Lord Parashurama’s blessings, the king got cleansed from Sarpahatya dosha, he performed the yaga successfully and lived happily thereafter.
Mrukundu Rishi:
After several centuries, in this Brahmin lineage, a great sage named Mrukundu was born. He had 5 children
Vadabhanda (First Son)
He was a very pious brahmin yet suffered from Leprosy (Kushtarog) and as per Lord Parashurama’s instructions, he went to the seashore (Paschima Samudra or Arabian Sea) to perform severe penance to Skanda. Very quickly he was successful in pleasing the diety. Skanda appeared and showed him his divine presence and Vadabhanda got cured off the disease.
Vadabhandeshwara:
To commemorate these divine blessings, he established a Skandalaya in the same place and continued to offer Nitya Pooja and Seva to the deity which is today’s Vadabhandeshwara. His lineage continued to perform all the offerings to the deity reverently for several centuries.
Balarama in Gopichandana:
After about 1000+ years, during Acharya Madhwaru’s Golden Period, a ship that had humongous wealth lost it’s way amidst the sea. Acharya Madhwaru helped it land at the shore with his divine abilities. The owner was willing to part any amount of wealth as an offering for this divine help. To the owner’s surprise, Acharya Madhwaru accepted the Gopi Chandan as an offering (which was apparently used as an anchor for the ship). Acharya Madhwaru while chanting Dwadasha Stotra, started walking towards Udupi carrying the huge Gopichandan that contained 2 divine idols:
- Lord Krishna
- Balarama (Shesha)
On the way, a part of Gopichandan that contained Balarama’s idol disintegrated from the whole chunk and fell in the vicinity of Vadabhandeshwara. Acharya Madhwaru took out the hidden Balarama’s idol from the Gopichandan piece, sanctified it and instated it inside the Vadabhandeshwara premise. After this, till date, Skanda and Shesha’s divine presence is being worshipped in the Vadabhandeshwara temple.
Udupi Shri Krishna Matha:
Acharya Madhwaru brought the Enchantingly Gorgeous divine idol of Lord Shri Krishna. This is the same Lord Krishna’s Idol, Sculpted by Vishwakarma (Devaloka Shilpi) that Goddess Rukmini worshipped at Dwaraka during Dwapara Yuga. Acharya Madhwaru sanctified it in Madhwasarovara and instated it at Udupi Krishna Matha in exactly the same direction (facing west) as it is seen today. He performed all Vedic rituals and established 8 monasteries and anointed 8 sages (1 sage per monastery) in order to perform nitya pooja to Lord Shri Krishna for several centuries in future (which is being followed even today)
| Pejavara Mutt | Kaniyuru Mutt |
| Palimaru Mutt | Adamaru Mutt |
| Sonda Mutt | Shirooru Mutt |
| Puttige Mutt | Krishnapura Mutt |
The other 4 sons of Mrukundu rishi also sought blessings of Lord Parashurama for Putra Santaana and the 4 Skandalayas in 4 corners of Rajatapeetha were
named after them as Mangodu, Tangodu, Aritodu and Muchilkodu correspondingly.
- Mangada (Second Son)
- Tangada (Third Son)
- Arigada (Fourth Son
- Muchigada (Fifth Son)
Their families continued the lineage by worshipping the deity Skanda in these skandalayas reverently for several generations and centuries. Mrukundu Rishi’s lineage continued and flourished exquisitely with skandarchakas in all 4 Skandalayas for several centuries. One such family of archakas of Mangodu Skandalaya occupied a village called Kadekaru were called Kadekarya’s and Udupa’s.
Mangodu
Mangodu archakas were experts in multiple spheres such as regular pooja, rituals, offerings, tantra, pourihitya and many more. They had occupied a village called Kadekaru.
Jeernodhara by Kadekraya Baleya Bhat
Kadekraya Baleya Bhat belonging to Mrukundu Rishi’s lineage was a very well established and renowned archaka of Mangodu Skandalaya. During his period, an unfortunate fire broke out and burnt the entire Mangodu Skandalaya premise and the fire affected Skanda’s idol as well. He took a very quick and noble initiative. In a very short span of time, he got the entire temple reconstructed. He also got a new idol sculpted from experts, sanctified it and instated it as per rituals and offered all poojas, utsavas, naivedyas with full effect as before thenceforth.
Kadekaru Venkataramana Bhat (Kuppanna bhat)
He had 3 wives –
- The first wife passed away very early and was childless.
- The second wife was a very noble and pious lady named Jalajakshi. She gave birth to a virtuous son named Venkatasubbaraya. Within one year of this child birth, they performed Jeernodhara of the Mangodu temple premise and offered it to the deity Skanda and Lord Venkatesha.
- The third wife had a son as well.
Kadekaru Venkatasubbaraya Bhat
He was a pious brahmin and continued his duties as an archaka at Mangodu Skandalay. He had lost his mother at an age of 3 and had lost his father also at a very young age. He faced a lot of difficulties during his period and approached Udupi Shri Krishna Matha. He was studying paata from a guru named Gururaja Upadhyaya. As per his instructions, he was performing pourohitya at Shri Krishna Matha during Puttige Shri Sujnanendra Tirtha Swamijiis Paryaya Period. An untimely demise of his guru gained him a unique Shri Chakra which he continued to worship thenceforth. During the next tenure of Puttige Paryaya, (after 14 years), he got an opportunity to serve as a chief purohit at Shri Krishna Matha. Recognizing his service, he was honored with a golden medal and a title called ’Mani’ by Shri Sujnanendra Tirtha Swamijj (Paryaya Puttige matha)
During this period, he observed that Mangodu temple needed a major upgrade.
Jeernodhara and Brahmakalashotsava:
Shilanyasa (foundation stone) for Jeernodhara: 5/12/1959 In the holy presence and amrutahasta of Shri Sujnanendra Tirtha Swamijj Of Puttige math to initiate the major upgrade of the temple.
- Within 2 years, all 4 sides stone poulige Was constructed
- Within the next 5 years, A Stone carved Tirtha mantapa was constructed
- An elegant Red Stone structured Garbhagruha was also constructed
- The entire premise saw a diligent upgrade with A Ratha and its shed, Olaga Mantapa and many more being constructed.
Kshetra Phala:
Benefits
It is believed that the deity has bestowed innumerous blessings upon the devotees who have offered prayers and donated their wealth for various sevas. It is also believed that the deity gets pleased very quickly and showers his divine blessings on his fond followers. It is believed that many have got cured off incurable diseases such as leprosy etc. and several have got blessed with children. This is a deity for wish fulfilment in areas such as
● Health
● Wealth
● Progeny
● Prosperity
● Marriage
● Success
and many more…
Several types of pooja are offered to the deity and Lord at this premise such as Annadaana, Fruits seva, and so on.
Announcement:
The temple is set to undergo Jeernodhara shortly. The estimated cost is expected to be around 14 crores. Comprehensive estimations will be made available on this website soon. Should anyone wish to support this noble initiative, contributions are welcome.
Contributions & Donations:.
Mangodu Shree Subramanya Temple
Account No: 01162200044447
Bank: Canara Bank
Branch: Kadekar
IFSC: CNRB0010116
Contact for more information
Please send your Name, Address and PAN No
along with Bank transfer details through
Phone: +91 98454 68508
Email: pejavaramathaudupi@gmail.com