Nandavara Vinayaka Shankarnarayana
Durgamba Temple
Sri Vinayaka Shankaranarayana Durgamba Temple is located at Sri Kshethra Nandavara in Sajipa Munnur of Bantwal Taluk in Dakshina Kannada district. The temple is located at a distance about 28 Kms from Mangalore, the district headquarters. This famous temple is dedicated to Lord Vinayaka Shankara Narayana.
The name Nandavara is derived from a combination of two words, Nanda and Pura. The Nanda kings established their kingdom on the bank of the Netravati River, and built a fort and a palace. The place came to be known as Nandapura, which in course of time became well known by the present name of Nandavara.
Sri Vinayaka Shankaranarayana Durgamba Kshetra having a historicity of 900
years is on the banks of Netravathi in Bantwal Taluk. The precincts of the
temple of historic religious centre Nandavara, Sukanasi, Thirtha Mantap, Pouli
Gopula are made from stones. Sri Kshetra
has been a pilgrim centre, tourism centre and a place of worship for the
devotees. It has grown as a religious centre here. It is found to the Southern
direction near the Railway Bridge while travelling over Panemangalore Bridge
drawing attention of people over the river bank of Netravathi.
Historicity:
Sri Vinayaka Shankara Narayana Durgamba Kshetra being in
Pane Mangalore in Bantwal Taluk of D.K. District, it has been a temple of
worship of 4 villages viz., Sajipa Magane’s Sajipa Munnoor, Sajipa Mooda,
Sajipa Nadu, Sajipa Padu.
The 2 tier clay fort relics, Gudi of Veera Bhadra, temple of Hanuman, Vinayaka
Shankaranarayana Durgamba Temple are the historic remaining of the past history
of the place. History tells that Nanda Raja built this temple here, after many
centuries this was confiscated by Banga Kings and built Jain King’s Palace,
Basadis.
Sri Vinayaka, Shankaranarayana, Durgamba: Nandavara Sri Vinayaka, Shankaranarayana and Durgamba Temples being in the same premises, the temples were built at different points of time.
Vinayaka Temple:
The roof of the Vinayaka temple carrying carvings of idols is estimated to have
belonged to 8-9th Century. Being established by Shringa Muni, worshipped by
Raja Maharajas, the statue of Bala Ganapathi of Bala Muri snout it has the
crown of Karandaka Model this temple was established by Shringa Minis and Kings
and Lords.
In and around the stone ceiling of this temple is inscribed with Nava Graha engravings and this Vinayaka
is very much powerful, fond of “Appa Prasada”. The devotees believe that their
desires will be fulfilled instantly when they do Appa Pooja and pray.
Shankaranarayana Temple: There is a divider found in the middle of the statue in the
temple which is worshipped in Shankaranarayana Temple. The right side is
divided to be Shankara and the left part is divided to be Narayana. The linga
is indicative of saying that there is no difference between Harihara. This
linga belonging to 10th Century, was being worshipped, the historians maintain.
There is neither Nandi statue, nor Garuda Statue in the
Nandi Mantapa in front of the temple. The Gopura of the temple is called
“Somanatha Chawadi”. The pillars of the temple are sensitively engraved and
found beautiful. Jain Thithankara image being found beautiful at the entrance
of the temple in the Paryankasana, it
is symbolic of all religions.
Durgamba Temple:
The statue of Durgamba found at the left side of Shankaranarayana temple, it is
estimated to have been installed in the 10-12 century. Behind the Durgamba
statue, found in an ecstatic mood holding weapons in the hand, there is circle
shaped attractive Makara Thorana found here.