The Temple of Polali Rajarajeshwari is a temple situated in Karnataka, Polali, Dakshina Kannada district. The temple’s main Deity is Shri Rajarajeshwari. The temple was built by King Suratha during the 8th century AD and was developed by many dynasties that ruled the region. Shri Rajarajeshwari’s idole is moulded entirely from clay with special medicinal properties. The temple portrays Hindu architecture with roofs decorated with gods and copper plates carved in wood. Regular and special poojas under the auspices of the head priest madhava bhat are performed in the temple.
The Polali Rajarajeshwari temple conducts annual festivals with plenty of fanfare. Festival Polali Chendu is an important festive event where football is played to represent the triumph of good over evil. Following the Chendu festival is the annual festival in March, which lasts a month and is attended by people from all over the world.
The Polali Rajarajeshwari temple is located in Polali on the banks of the Phalguni River in Bantwal taluk village Kariyangala, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka. The temple is surrounded by lush paddy fields. The river Phalguni flows north of the temple. Mangalore is the closest temple town at 19 km.near to kaikamba 4-5 km across
Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple History:
The Polali Rajarajeshwari temple has been mentioned in many ancient inscriptions, including the Markandeya Purana, Ashoka inscriptions and travel accounts of ancient travelers. The temple around the clay idol was built in the 8th century AD according to an inscription found in the area of the temple. It’s a widely held belief that King Suratha built the temple, and that the king offered his own crown, stuffed with precious jewels, to be placed on the deity’s head. The king, having lost most of his kingdom in a war and being deceived by his own ministers, is thought to have taken refuge under a sage called Sumedha in forests around what now is the temple’s site.
Historically it is assumed that the clay statue of the principal deity in the temple is up to 5000 years old. It is reported that the King himself carved Shri Rajarajeshwari’s clay idol and offered penance to the deity in return for his kingdom. Many ancient inscriptions alluding to the temple have been reported around the temple, but have been lost over time primarily because of the neglect of its keepers. The remaining inscriptions available today have been obtained in the village of Kariyangala, Ammunje and in the temple itself and are now under the custody of the government of Karnataka.
Several dynasties ruled the area surrounding the temple including Kadamba, Chalukya, Alupa, Rashtrakoota, Hoisala, Vijayanagara, Ikkeri, Mysore etc. Most of those dynasties spent a lot of capital on this temple and donated farmland for the temple’s benefit. Many dynasties ruled the region surrounding the temple including Kadamba, Chalukya, Alupa, Rashtrakoota, Hoisala, Vijayanagara, Ikkeri, Mysore etc. Most of those dynasties spent a lot of money on this temple and donated farmland for the temple’s benefit.
Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple Architecture:
Records written in 1448 by Abdul Razzak indicate the temple was originally built from molten brass. He reported that there were four platforms within the temple. On the highest of platforms, there was an image of the god, 5 to 6 feet in height, with red rubies for eyes. Today, the principal deity’s statue, Shri Rajarajeshwari is a 10-feet-high stucco image of the deity.
Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple Timings:
Monday to Sunday:
Morning: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Evening: 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Annual Festival:
During the month of March, an annual festival is held in the temple. The festival lasts for one month. The temple deity idole is placed on a circular crown called Prabhavathi during the festival, which is beautifully decorated for the purpose. The idole is set on Simhasana Katte on the 4th day of the festival; a platform is performed approximately 100 meters from the temple and a special pooja.
Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple Address: Polali, Bantwal Tq, Dakshina Kannada District – 574 219, Karnataka – INDIA.
