The
picturesque place Polali on the banks of river Phalguni is located
approximately at a distance of 21 kms from Mangalore. The river originating
from Kudremukh mountain range flows on the northern flank of the temple from
east to west and takes a turn towards north-west direction to flow down south.
Festivals
Simha
Sankramana, Gokulashtami, Kadiru Habba, Navaratri Habba, Deepavali, Karthika
Bahula Padya, Lakshadeepotsava, Subramanya Panchami and Subramanya Shasti,
Dhanurmasa utsav, Dande-maale Utsav and Chendina Utsav, Mahashivarathri utsav,
the annual car festival, Sauramana Ugadi and the Hathanedya habba.
Chendina Utsava
A game of
throwing ball. This game or ritual (month-long jatha) attracts many a people to
this temple. The game is held for five days. The size of the ball is quite
large. The ball is symbolic of the head of asura.
When
members belonging to the ‘Sanje Guthu’ occupy their respective places in the
temple courtyard, the members of ‘Sapaliga’ family bring the ball and an
umbrella made from olegari-palmyra leaf. The participants of the game are
identified by the mundasu on the head. Everybody then prays to the goddess. The
opposing teams are from Aamunje and Mulali, and people of Mallur- Bellur can
join any team they wish. The other rules of the game are just like rugby. When
one of the teams has scored three goals. It heralds the finish of the game.
This game is played for five days. On the fifth day an offering of betel
leaves– veelyadele honors the eminent people.
Every day
of the game a chariot is taken round the temple premises. These Chariots are
the Kumara Teru, Hoovu (flower) Teru, Surya Mandala Ratha and on the fourth day
it is the Chandra Mandala Ratha. On the fifth day, the God is carried in a
palanquin. A surprising feature in Polali, is that, though the presiding deity
is Rajarajeshwari, the car or the Chariot festival is held for Subramanya
Swamy. Various musical instruments accompany the entire period of the game and
the game is held in strict discipline.
A special
aspect of the temple is its one month long jatha-fair, which one of the longest
held jathas in India. During this time, the goddess is dressed in novel forms
and with a tightly woven garland of flowers. This is the Dandemaale Utsav. The
priest who officiates during this month long affair belongs to the Moodbidri
Chauta family. The main daivas are the Kodamanithaya and the Oolipadi and
various rituals are performed to please them, for the festivals to proceed
without any hitch.
Important days
Friday is the auspicious day for devi temple. But there is a steady stream of devotees visiting the shrine to thank the deity for favours received.
The Temple
Polali Rajarajeshwari temple is located at Polali in
Kariyangala Village of Bantwal Taluk in Dakshina Kannada District. The village
is surrounded by high hillocks and wide paddy fields.
Polali, an important seat of Shakti worship is located
at a distance of 30 km from Mangalore and situated about 200 yards from the
Phalguni River.
It is believed that the temple was built in 8th
century AD. King Suratha got constructed this temple, installed the image of
Goddess Rajarajeshwari and placed his own crown on the head of the deity.
The big image of the Goddess is made up of Clay; the
height of the Goddess is more than nine feet and wears an amazing crown made of
precious gems.
Lord Mahaganapathi, Lord Subrahmanya, Goddess
Bhadrakali and Goddess Saraswathi are other deities adorn the sanctum sanctorum.