Todays blog on temple is very special, since it is about a special divine temple in Mangalore, which is a very special town as this is close to my native place. The temple we are visiting today, is the Someshwara temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Someshwara Main temple and satellite temple
This is really a small temple, but an ancient one located on the Arabian sea coast in Mangalore. I visited this temple with my family on a lovely breezy evening and with no expectations whatsoever. However I came back with a lifetime of memories.
Historically it is said to have been built by Kings of Alupa Dynasty in the 10th century A.D. The temple was under the rule of Kadambas of Banavasi, and Chola Kings of Ullala in the 12th century A.D and then renovated under the Vijayanagara Kings.
After visiting the temple, I took a walk on the beach that is just right beside the temple. When I walk on the beach, the rule I follow is “never walk with footwear on”! You should always walk on the beach bare footed, with the waves kissing and hugging your feet now and then.
Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva
The steps leading into Someshwara Temple Beach
Lady selling Freshly made Mangalore ChurMuri
The waves gushing and rushing!
Shells have got embedded in the rock!
The waves of the sea, and the silence between the waves – this is music. The beauty of the rocks and pebbles that have weathered years and years of water gushing on them – this is endurance. And the feeling you have when you close your eyes on this beach is divinity! I really felt Lord Shiva in every wave, every drop, every pebble, and every sand. The feeling is so hard to explain, but I was so sure he is right there.
This shloka kept persisting in my thoughts and I want to describe it here –
Karpoora Gauram Karunaavataram |
Samsaara Saaram Bhujagendra Haaram ||
Sada Vasantam Hridaayaravinde |
Bhavam Bhavani Sahitam Namami ||
The meaning of this popular shloka goes like this – One who is pure white like camphor, who is compassion incarnate, the essence of worldly existence, whose garland is the king of serpents, always present inside the the heart like a lotus.
I salute to Shiva and Bhavani together!
I will always remember how I experienced divinity on that shore of the ancient Someshwara Temple in Mangalore.
Tips for travellers:
- There are many hotels in Mangalore where you can stay overnight.
- There are many other places you can visit in and around Mangalore when you are there. Kudroli Temple, Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple, Kadri temple, Sharavu temple, Beaches in Mangalore, St.Aloysius church etc. to name a few.
- If you are travelling during the months of May to August, please do carry and umbrella or raincoat as the monsoons bring torrential downpour during that time.
- Please do carry and use a mosquito repellent cream with you always.
- There are a number of restaurants in town offering both South Indian and North Indian Food. The place also offers a lot of local Mangalorean Cuisine, and special Ice Creams ( Pabbas and Ideal ).
What do you think of my blog? Do you find this place interesting?
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