Kadri Temple, Mangalore: Timings, History, Travel Guide, and How to reach

Kadri Temple, Mangalore – Overview

Kadri Sri Manjunatha Temple is about 4 km from KSRTC. This temple is one of the most famous temples in Mangalore, which attracts hundreds of devotees and tourists every day. Shri Manjunatha is the presiding deity here. The place ‘Kadri’ is derived from ‘Kadrika Vihar or Kadri Vihar.’

It is believed that the word ‘Kadri’ may have originated from the Sanskrit ‘Kadali’ (‘banana/banana’), as the area was known for banana cultivation centuries ago.

Kadri Temple Timings

This temple opens from 5:30am to 1:00pm in the morning and from 4:00pm to 8:00pm in the evening.

Also Read: Belon Devi Mandir Bulandshahr, Timings, History, Travel Guide and How to reach

History of this Temple

As per the history of the place, Kadri Shri Manjunatha Temple was a Buddhist monastery till the 10^th century. After the decline of Buddhism, members of the Nath sect settled here who started worshiping Shiva as Lord Manjunatha. They were called Jogis and established a Jogimutta near the temple. During that period, Mangalore was ruled by the Alupa kings who also believed in the worship of Shiva.

There is a bronze image of Lokitesvara on the left side of the idol of Sri Manjunatha, where one can see an inscription below the bronze image of Lokitesvara, which states that the image dates back to 968 A.D. According to Late Sri Govind Pai, Lokitesvara The idol was not of Buddha, but of a bodhisattva believed to be a unified form of Shiva.

Bodhisattvas worshiped both Lokitesvara and Shiva for a few centuries until the Brahmins took over the temple after the 11^th century and converted it into a Shiva temple. The present structure of the temple was built in the 12^th century according to the Hindu architectural style and was later rebuilt using granite stones during the 14^th-15^th centuries when a Panchaloha idol of Lord Shri Manjunatha was installed.

Also Read: Krishna Janmasthan Mandir Mathura, Timings, History, Travel Guide and How to reach

Place to visit near this Temple

Kudroli Gokarnath Temple

Kudroli Gokarnath Temple, also known as Gokarnatheshwara Temple, is one of the most popular places to visit in Mangalore with family. Dedicated to Gokarnanatha, a form of Lord Shiva, this temple in Mangalore was built by Sree Narayana Guru, who was prohibited from entering other temples in the region. The temple reflects the Dravidian style of architecture and has a 60 feet high, golden gopuram.

Mangalore Port

The only major port in Karnataka and the 7^th largest port in India is Mangalore Port. This all-weather port is located at Panambur at the confluence of the Falguni River with the Arabian Sea and started its operations in 1974. Earlier the old port popularly known as Mangalore Bunder was in operation. Medium to large vessels are seen at the port, mainly exporting coffee, spices and cashew nuts as well as minerals such as iron ore, granite, manganese.

Also Read: Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kerala: Timings, History, Travel Guide and How to reach

How to reach Kadri Temple

By Air- The nearest airport from Kadri Temple is Mangalore international airport which is at a distance of about 11.7km from this temple. From here you can easily reach this temple by using local transport services.

By Train- The nearest railway station from this temple is Mangalore central railway station which is at a distance of about 3.6km from this temple. From here you can easily reach this temple by using local transport services.

By Road- Kadri bust stop is the nearest bus stop from this temple. You can also easily reach this temple by using your own vehicle as its roads are well connected with other cities of the country.