Information of Sri Venkataramana Temple Padutirupathi, Karkala, Udupi, Karnataka

Sri Venkataramana Temple of Karkala also known as Padutirupathi is a renowned pilgrim spot for the followers of Hindu religion. This temple is also well known as the Thirupathi of the west. It nearly 600 years old and has a very unique temple architecture in it. This is also a wealthy temple of the south Kanada region, it has many jewels for its deities, which are worn at festival times and look very glorious on these deities. This temple is maintained by a special community called the Goud Saraswat Brahmins (GSB) from its foundation of this temple to the present days. Lakhs of devotees take pilgrimage her to get a glimpse of Lord Srinivasa and Lord Venkateshwara. This temple has many special days and festivals conducted on yearly basis. It is located near Karkala town, Udupi District of Karnataka State in India.

Sri Venkataramana Temple Religious Significance

This temple is the Padu Thirupathi for kanadigas. Since, it has similar features of the great Thirupati temple in Andhrapradesh. The same type of idol and poojas are performed her on daily basis as functioning in the Thirupathi temple. Lord Venkataramana is a power full god and if peoples come with pure devotion have attainment of their wills. Many pilgrims just come here to see this splendid God and get blessing from him. The mid of March months is celebrated as the Pancha Parvas and ends in the mid of April. This festival adores many devotees here. The Deepotsava is the lamp festival is conducted yearly in the month of November. Many pilgrims come to see this great Deepa Aradhana of this temple. The Rathotsava or the Car Festival is conducted very grandly here in April month. At this time the Karakal town is filled with his devotees to have a glimpse of the powerful lord in the chariot. A typical ritual is performed here, it is known as the Vardhanthi. The Ramanavami, Kartika Shuddha Dashami, Rigupakarma and Kartika Shuddha Dashami are few days of special poojas.

Sri Venkataramana Temple Mythology & History

The GBS community laid this temple foundation in 25th April 1537. The story behind the GBS settlement in Karkala was due to the Portugal occupation of Goa as their territory. These community doesn't liked their behavior and came to Karkala, where the Bhairarasa Odeyars showed sympathy and provided them with few forest areas for their settlements. They also built a small temple here which later became a popular worship place of its local peoples. This became very popular temple in a short period of time.

Sri Venkataramana Temple Architectural Significance

Sri Venkataramana Temple is constructed in a typical Kerala temple form. It has a unique craftsmanship on woods and stone in this temple structure. It is found in a traditional house model with lot of stone carvings and motif works on it. The main entrance has a 3 storied tower with a pillared mandapa. The interior of this temple has very good carving works on its stone pillars. A very rare craftsmanship is found here that is there are chains made out of stones. Its idols are monolith stone carved sculptures in a life size model. There are also many brass idols found here. The main deity's temple doors are made of pure gold. There are also many Hindu gods and goddess sculptures carved here on stones, these adds a really holly look inside this temple areas. This temple has two major chariots. The first chariot was carved in woods in 1777 AD. The big Ratha or the big car was furnished here on 1827 AD. The big car is known as the Bhrama Ratha and this is taken for the procession over centuries by this temple.