DURGA PARAMESWARI TEMPLE
Kateel, Karnataka
This small temple for
Bramaraambigai is located at Kateel, about 25 kms from Mangalore.
The temple is situated in the middle of the sacred river, Nandini.
The river originates at a spot about 8 miles away, splits into two parts
near the temple & rejoins on the other side of the temple.
The main sannadhi for
Durgai is beyond the Dwajasthambha mandapam. The kodimaram or flag
staff is covered with silver plating. The Devi is seen in a seated
posture with four arms. In the upper arms she holds the Changu &
Chakram (conch & discuss). The lower two hands are in the abhaya
& varadha mudras. The Devi destroyed the asura Arunaasuran &
hence is also known by the name Arunaasuramardini. Since she killed
the asuran in the form of a bee (bramaram), she is known by the name Bramaraambigai.
Since the Devi is seated in the middle (katee) of the Nandini river, the
place is called Kateel.
The other deities in
the temple - Rakteswari (a swayambu rock), Mahaaganapati, Ayyappan, Kshetrabalas,
Nagas.
Kumkumam, Chandanam &
flowers of the betelnut tree are offered as prasaadham. There is
a Yakshagaana troupe in the temple.
Legend
Jaabaali rishi planned
to conduct a yaagam for the prosperity of the world which was suffering
from acute famine. He requested Indran to send the Kaamadhenu (the
sacred cow which could give anything that one asked) to provide all the
materials for the Yaagam. Since Kaamadhenu was not available, Indran
offered the services of her daughter Nandini. Nandini considered the earth
an evil place & refused to go there. The angered rishi cursed
that she be born on earth. Nandini prayed to the Devi to redeem her
from the curse. Devi asked Nandini to appear on earth as a river
retaining her purity & purifying others. She promised to appear
in her midst & bless the world.
Arunaasuran who had fled
the battlefield during the war between Devi & Sumba, Nishumban, had
now grown powerful as a result of his penance & recital of Gaayathri
mandiram. He had got the boon that he should not be destroyed by man, animal,
bird living in land or water. He was destroying peace on earth.
On the request of Sriman Naaraayanan Devi came to earth in the form of
a beautiful maiden. Arunaasuran followed her eagerly. She suddenly
vanished behind a rock in the middle of the Nandini river. The enraged
Arunaasuran struck the rock, splitting it. The Devi appeared as a
bee, killed Arunaasura & destroyed his army. The pleased devotees,
Devas & Jaabaali rishi performed abhishekam to the Devi with tender
coconuts to cool and calm her after the war. Tender coconut water
abhishekam is performed even today to please the Devi.
Ashtalakshmi temple, Besant Nagar, Chennai
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