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Polali Temple: A View of the
Temple
Polali
in Brief:
Shri Rajarajeshwari temple is located at Polali in Kariyangala
Village of Bantwal Taluk in Dakshina Kannada District of
Karnataka State. Shri Kshetra Polali is in the heart of
this village surrounded by high hillocks and wide paddy
fields. River Phalguni flows from east on the northern side
a furlong way from the temple. It turns left towards south
at the back of the temple in the Western side. This place
was being called as Pural and the deity in the temple was
known as Porala Devi in several old records and ancient
epigraphs available.
Puliapura is its Sanskrit version.
In Kannada this is called Polali. It is believed that King
Suratha got the temple constructed, installed the image
and placed his own crown on the head of the image. This
is an ancient temple. This temple has been alluded to in
the Ashokan inscriptions and in the reports of the foreign
travelers who visited India. Queen Chennammaji of Keladi
visited Polali and got a grand chariot constructed for the
temple.
Being
a pilgrimage Centre, Polali attracts travelers and tourists
with its natural scenic beauty and serenity. Polali Chendu
is a unique festival in this temple, which will be performed
during annual festival of the temple.
Mythology
(Story from Puranas):
When evil forces gained strength and got the upper hand
and embodied themselves as demons and began to destroy the
Dharma Setu (Bridge of Dharma). Rajas and Tamas were the
most predominant evil qualities in them. They tortured the
people in innumerable ways. In such a situation Shri Bhuvaneshwari,
Divine Mother assumed divine forms with the names Kumari,
Tripura, Kali and Durga and established the age old Dharma
by destroying the wicked and protecting the good.
These
facts have been explained in Shastras and Puranas. The above
were fractional incarnations of Shri Mahadevi just like
the incarnations Matsya (fish) and Koorma of Lord Mahavishnu.
But Shri Lalitha Devi was the full incarnation of Shri Bhuvaneshwari.
After coronation She was called Shri Rajarajeshwari. Her
sacred story is as follows:
After
the untimely death of his wife Gouri, Lord Rudra renounced
all activities and started severe penance. Seeing this Kama
the God of Love shot Rudra with his darts of love. Rudra
in rage opened his third eye and burnt Kama into ashes.
After many years Lord Ganesha made a human form with that
ash and placed it before Rudra. Lord Rudra looked at it
with compassion and an inert image became a living being.
Nandikeshwara initiated him with the holy Rudramanthra.
The ash born being repeated the mantra with implicit faith
and incessantly prayed Lord Shiva (Rudra). Lord Shiva became
highly pleased with him and blessed him with many boons.
This being became famous as Bhandasura.
Shrukracharya, the
preceptor of demons took him to Shonithapura and there he
was crowned as the King of asuras (demons). Shukracharya
initiated Bhandasura with many mantras of mysterious power.
As advised by Shukracharya, Bhandasura engaged himself in
severe penance, got many boons became very powerful. Mad
with the newly gained powers he began to torture the people.
Even the three Gods - Hari, Hara and Brahma found him to
be intolerable. He even invaded heaven and being impossible
to face him all the Gods ran away from heaven and took shelter
in riverbanks, forests and mountains in disguised form.
 Later,
after many years with the advice of Divine sage Narada the
destitute Gods engaged themselves in meditation, worship
and penance to make the Divine Mother manifest before them.
They even got ready to sacrifice their bodies in the blazing
fire of Yajna. Shri Bhuvaneshwari in Manidweepa (Island
of gems) saw the sufferings and penance of Gods and appeared
before them in the bright form of Lalitha Devi, which is
the full incarnation of Shri Bhuvaneshwari. Gods of heaven
and Thrimurthis built a mahamantapa and a chariot for Shri
Bhuvaneshwari with the help of Vishwakarma.
Brahma and other
Gods assembled in the Mahamantapa and with just a look at
Goddess Shri Mahadevi the things they desired was fulfilled.
Goddess boarded her Shri Chakra ornamented with navaparvas.
Shri Devi with her large army and assistants advanced in
no time and arrived at Shonithapura of Bhandasura and encamped
there. The battle raged. Within four days Bhandasura's brothers,
nephews, relatives and ministers, army chief and large army
died fighting against the army of Shri Mahadevi.
On fifth
day Bandasura himself came and fought against Shri Mahadevi
and died. All the three worlds again returned to peace and
happiness. Shortly afterwards Hari, Hara and Brahma engaged
the services of the sculptors Vishwakarma and Maya and got
sixteen cities built in the Himalayan region and in other
places for the stay of the Divine Mother. All these towns
were called Shrinagar and Shri Bhuvaneshwari still lives
in these sixteen cities and protects all the worlds from
the evil forces.
Installation
of the Image of Shri Devi:
The pious soul who installed and worshipped the clay image
of Shri Rajarajeshwari with subordinate deities in the ancient
days deserves our greatest gratitude.
It
is well known that King Suratha installed and worshiped
Shri Rajarajeshwari. Starting from Swayambhuva there are
fourteen Manus. In the early years, Swarochisha, the second
Manu begot a son by name Chaitra. King Suratha was born
in his line after many years. His vast kingdom spread all
over the world. Unfortunately by force of circumstances
he had to fight with a band of hunters by name 'Kolavidhwamsi'.
Even though they were less powerful, King Suratha suffered
defeat at their hands. Therefore the King totally withdrew
from the areas overrun by his enemies and returned to his
capital city.
The Ministers now understood that their King
had become weak and incompetent and took the military and
treasury under their control. King Suratha now realized
that his Ministers had cheated him. He feared that his ministers
and military might conspire with his enemies and handover
him to them. He therefore decided to flee away for safety.
He told them that he was going out for hunting and rode
away on his horse. At last he entered a dense forest and
reached the hermitage of Sumedha, a great ascetic. The King
prostrated before the sage and narrated the event that forced
him to come to the forest.
The sage warmly received the
King and asked him to stay there for some days. One day
Suratha was walking around the hermitage bemoaning the loss
of his Kingdom, wealth, wife and children. On the way he
met a merchant. He paid his respect to the King and narrated
his sad story that how his wife and children driven him
away hankering for his wealth. Hearing this story the King
took the trader to the sage. Both of them offered obeisance
to the Muni (Ascetic). King Suratha then narrated the story
of the merchant to the sage. Hearing this sage advised them
to worship Divine Mother as prescribed in the Shastras and
seek blessing from her.
The
King and the merchant offered their obeisance to the sage
and took leave of him. Now both of them were eager to see
the Divine Mother face to face. At the same time they were
will grief - striken because of their attachments to the
people who had driven them away. They selected a place from
where water had recently receded. This place was not far
away from the hermitage of Sage Sumedha.
There, they built
a hermitage and there in they made out a clay image of the
Divine Mother along with that of her subordinate deities,
strictly in accordance with the rules of Tantra Shastra
and sculpture. Both of them began repeating the sacred Devi
Sooktha, beginning with words, "Namo Devyai Mahadevyai"
and invoked Chandika Devi, the one integrated form of Mahakali,
Maha lakshmi and Maha Saraswathi into the image they were
worshiping. In the beginning they were taking limited food
at regular intervals.
Inner circle and sanctum
But later on they reduced the intake
of food and began fasting more and more intensely. They
withdrew their six senses from outside objects. As days
passed their faith grew stronger and stronger and their
penance became more and more intense. Ultimately they began
to offer oblation mixed with their own flesh and blood to
their favorite deity. Thus they continued their rigorous
penance for three years. Finally Devi manifested before
them and pleased to grant a boon to them.
Then
King Suratha prostrated to the Divine Mother and prayed
for his Kingdom, wealth and happy life with his wife and
children. The merchant Samadhi asked for divine knowledge
and deliverance from all worldly bonds and ultimately a
salvation. Accordingly Devi blessed them and disappeared.
Then
King Suratha and the merchant went to sage Sumedha's presence
and respectfully saluted him. They narrated to the sage
now the Mother granted the boons they prayed for. Then there
arrived the ministers and other officials of Suratha's Kingdom
and begged him to pardon them for their unrighteous actions
and with condescend request asked the King to come back
to his Kingdom. The King then took leave of the sage and
returned to his country. There he ruled his kingdom righteously
till the end of his life. The merchant Samadhi also took
leave of the sage. Being free from all worldly temptations
he visited many holy places and gave up his body in course
of time and ultimately attained salvation.
From
very ancient times, the people have been telling that King
Suratha and the merchant Samadhi engaged themselves in penance
on the bank of the same Phalguni River, which is still flowing
through Polali. It is said that the clay images of Shri
Raja Rajeshwari and the subordinate deities now worshipped
in the Polali temple are the images, which were installed
and worshipped, by King Suratha and his merchant friend.
By referring various Puranas we may assume that the image
of Shri Rajarajeshwari in Polali temple is of at least five
thousand years old.
Historical
importance of Polali temple:
It is not easy to clarify the antiquity and importance of
Polali Shri Rajarajeshwari Temple with historical evidences.
It is said there were many inscriptions here and there around
the temple. But, in the past these inscriptions might have
been destroyed or taken away due to the indifferent attitude
of the persons responsible for their upkeep.
Even
then a few inscriptions found at Ammunje, Kariyangala and
in Polali Temple are now preserved in the custody of the
Karnataka Government. In olden days this Dakshina Kannada
District was under the suzerainty of many royal dynasties
like Kadamba, Chalukya, Aloopa, Rashtrakoota, Hoisala, Vijayanagara,
Ikkeri, Mysore etc. As per history and inscriptions the
kings of these dynasties ruled over Dakshina Kannada with
the help of the vassals like Banga, Chouta, Ballal etc.
In some administrative divisions called 'Maganes' the kings
appointed their own executive officers. They donated agricultural
lands to the temples and monasteries under their jurisdiction
and did their best to serve the temple deities and set an
example to their subjects to become god fearing, religious
and righteous. Alupa kings were one of the many royal dynasties
that aided and enriched the temples and encouraged temple-worship
in our district during their rule from 710-720 A.D.
Daily
worship, Special worship, Religious services and Festivals:
Daily poojas and special poojas in this temple are done
as laid down in Durgagama and Skandagama. The daily morning
pooja is regularly done at 8.30 a.m. The noon Mahapooja
is daily conducted at 12.30 p.m. and the night pooja takes
place at 8.30 p.m. The 'Kartika pooja' and the Flower pooja'
offered by the devotees are performed only during the time
of the daily poojas and not at other times.
Special
occasion Poojas are as follows;
1. Simha Sankramana
2. Souramana Ugadi (first day of the year as per
solar calender)
3. Gokulashtami
4. 4th day of Bhadrapada Shukla
5. Kadiru Habba (Corn Festival)
6. Navarathri Festival
7. Deepavali (Festival of lights)
8. Kartika Bahula Padya
9. Laksha Deepotsava (on new moon day of the Karthika
month)
10. Subramanya Panchami and Shashti Festivals
11. Dhanurmasotsava
12. Mahashivarathri Festival
13. Annual Festival (commences on Sankranthi day
of month of Meena)
Football
Game (well known as Polali Chendu) during the Annual festival:
This festival of football commences when there are seven
days to the avabritha. This football festival continues
for five days. This game during the temple festival is very
popular. Members of a particular cobbler family at Mijar
prepare this leather ball. The members of the oil miller
family of 'Kadapu Karia' bring the leather ball from Mijar.
On their way back they come to the house of Malali Ballal.
They first place the ball in the cow dung washed front yard
of the house and inform them the date of the football festival.
In the evening members of the Gutthu families occupy their
seats on both sides of the front gopuram. The members of
the oil miller family then place the ball and a palm leaf
umbrella in the gopuram. Then the person authorized to throw
the ball arrives there wearing his headgear. He then offers
prayers to the deity in the presence of the members of the
Gutthu. Afterwards the members of the Gutthu families go
to the 'Sultan Katte' near the football field and wait there.
The honorable person authorized to throw the ball then
comes to football field with all honours.
He throws the
ball and game begins. When the ball reaches either the southern
or northern bund of the field the ball is again given to
the authorized person to be thrown again. All together the
ball is thrown three times. This procedure is repeated for
five days. When three games are over the person authorized
to throw the ball returns with it to the temple and occupies
his seat in the gopuram and some specified persons are offered
betal leaves and areca nuts and honoured in the presence
of the head of Gutthus. This festival is conducted with
great pomp and gaiety. The final football festival of Polali
is very famous.
How
to reach the temple:
There are frequent busses plying from State bank bus stand
(Hampankatta, Mangalore) to B.C.Road via Polali temple.
It is 19 K.M. from Mangalore. New visitors for quick transit
can catch a service bus from Mangalore up to Kaikamba (via
Gurupura) and from Kaikamba another bus service having stop
at Polali temple.
Postal
Corresponding Address of the temple:
Shri Rajarajeshwari Temple Polali,
Bantwal Tq.
Dakshina Kannada District,
Karnataka - INDIA
Phone - 91-824-766141
Seva
List
1. Karpoorarati: 3-00
2. Panchakajjaya: 5-00
3. Shri Kali Lakshmi Saraswathi Sukthi: 5-00
4. Sahasra Nama Parayana: 5-00
5. Yanthra Shuddhi: 5-00
6. Yantra Bandhana: 5-00
7. Saree Offering: 5-00
8. Karthika Pooja: 6-00
9. Ashtottara: 15-00
10. Kumkumarchane: 15-00
11. Thrishathi Archane: 15-00
12. Bala Vimshathi Archane: 15-00
13. Devi Mahatme Parayana: 15-00
14. Subramanya Sahasra Namarchane: 30-00 |
115. Ganesha Sahasra Namarchane: 30-00
16. Shri Kali Sahasra Namarchane: 30-00
17. Shri Lalitha Sahasra Namarchane: 30-00
18. Soundharya Lahari: 30-00
19. Shri Satya Narayana Pooja: 35-00
20. Hoovina Pooja: 40-00
21. Durga Namaskara Pooja: 60-00
22. Kadga malarchane: 60-00
23. Gayathri Pooja: 60-00
24. Navavarna: 110-00
25. Khadga Mala Santhulitha Lalitha Sahasra Namarchane:
110-00
26. TripuraSundari Sahasra Namarchane: 150-00
27. Sarvalankara Pooja: 275-00 |
Compiled
by:
Vishweshwara Rao M. Mangalore
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here if you would like to Contribute or send a feedback.
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