Shri Kshetra Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple

History of Polali Rajarajeshwari TempleClick To know About History of Rajarajeshwari Temple

Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple is in Polali, in Kariyangala village of Bantwal taluk, Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka. It stands on the bank of the Phalguni river. The presiding deity is Shri Rajarajeshwari, worshipped as a form of Lalita Tripurasundari. The temple’s official website describes the goddess as a clay form, which it calls a unique feature of the temple.

About the Temple

• Deity: Shri Rajarajeshwari. Smaller shrines and idols include Subramanya, Bhadrakali, Mahaganapathi and Saraswathi.
• Origin: Tradition holds that King Suratha built the temple and placed his jewelled crown on the deity’s head. An inscription found near the temple is reported to date the temple around the clay idol to the 8th century AD.
• Later patrons: The region was ruled by dynasties including the Alupas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara and Ikkeri, and many of them are recorded as donating land and resources to the temple. Queen Chennammaji of Keladi gifted a large temple chariot. The temple’s official site says this 400-year-old chariot is now preserved at the ISKCON Meditation Center at Mudipu.
• Architecture: The roof of the Mukhamantapa has carved wooden figures of deities. The roofs over the flagstaff, the sanctum and the pillar of lights are covered with copper plates.
• Lepashta Gandha: Once every 12 years the idols are coated with a special soil mixture said to have eight medicinal properties. The soil is reported to be an old preparation that is reused, not made fresh each time.
• Renovation: The official site lists the Brahmakalashotsava as the most recent major restoration of the temple.

Timings to visit

The temple’s official website lists the temple as open every day, 6:30 AM to 1:30 PM in the morning and 3:00 PM to 8:30 PM in the evening. The same site lists daily poojas at 7:00 AM, 12:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Hours can change on festival days, so confirm with the temple before travelling. Anna Prasadam (a midday meal) is reported to be served to all visitors every day of the year.

Sevas

The rates below come from an older listing and could not be confirmed on the temple’s current website, which directs visitors to contact the temple for offering details. Prices are kept here for reference only; confirm locally before booking a seva.

Prices: confirm locally.

Festivals Celebrate in Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple

An annual festival is celebrated at the temple in March. Published accounts say it lasts about a month.

During the festival, the idol of the temple deity is placed on a circular crown called Prabhavathi, which is beautifully decorated for the purpose. On the 4th day of the festival, the idol is placed on Simhasana Katte, a platform approximately 100 meters from the temple, and a special pooja is performed.

Polali Chendu

Polali Chendu, also called the football festival, is played during the annual temple festival, seven days before the avabritha. The leather ball is made by a cobbler family from Mijar. Players try to take the ball to the opposing side, and any number of people may take part. The game is said to represent the fight of good over evil, and the car festival that follows is said to represent the victory of good. A platform from which Tipu Sultan is reported to have watched the game is still called Sultan Katte.

How to Reach

By Air: Mangaluru International Airport – 18.3 km

By Train: Mangalore Railway Station – 20.9 km

By Road: Mangalore KSRTC Bus station – 23.9 km.

These are approximate road distances from an older listing; check them on a map before travelling.

Address

Shree Kshethra Rajarajeshwari Temple, Polali, Bantwal Talukthe of, Dakshina Kannada District – 574 219, Karnataka India.

Official Site of Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple

Current official website: polalitemple.in

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Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple Map