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Polali Utsav


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.