Did you know that the Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple, near Mangalore city, steeped in an ancient legend related to the divine form of Durga, is located on an islet in the Nandini River, daughter of Kamadenu, in an incarnated river form?
The Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple , a Shakti temple, in a village by the name Kateel 29 km from Manglore city in the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, is dedicated to Goddess Durga, who is popularly known as Kateel Devi. The name Kateel, is derived from two Tulu language words―‘Kati’ means waist and ‘Ile’ means "earth", meaning the central area of earth. The temple is located in an island formed in the river Nandini and Durga incarnated in the form Mohini and then a rock and a Bee who slayed the rakahasa in the form of a Bee.
The ancient legend narrated to this temple and the river Nandini that encirles it relates to a rakshasa (malevolent demigod) called Arunasura. who by doing severe austerities had earned a kind of invincible boon from Lord Brahma, the creator god. But the rakshasa, as was his wont, became arrogant, egoistic, and cruel, indulged in harassing the people on this region, as he had been bestowed with the boon by Brahma: " ...that he could not be killed by a man, woman, or any two or four-legged creature or any weapon." Then at the request of sage Jabali, who requested Lord Indra to help the distressed people of the region due to depradations of Rakahsa Arunasura, Nandini daugher of the divine cow Kamadenu (who provides her owner whatever he desires) was ordered to go to earth and help its people, But Nandini refused to move and was thus cursed by sage Jabali to become a river and flow in the region where she had refused to go. When Nandini asked forgiveness of sage Jabali to redeem the curse she was told that Adishakti Durga, the mother of the whole universe would redeem her from the curse at the appropriate time. Thereafter, in the month of Magha on the full moon day, Nandini descended to earth and flowed in the form of a river from the Kanakachal mountains.
But the depradations of Arunasura continued. Then, at the request of all the Devas (demi Gods) and Indra, Adishakti appeared in front of them and assuered them that she would annihilate the rakshasa. Devi Durga took the most beatiful form of Mohini and entered the courtyard of Arunasura. Arunasura who saw her was fascinated and approached and asked for her hand in marriage and started chasing her. Then Mohini then took the form of rock which infuriated the rakshasa who stuck the rock hard with his sword. But, lo-and- behold, the rock gave away and Durga appeared as a huge Bee and stung the raskshas repeatedly and killed him. The Bee was neither two legged or four legged creature, it was six legged and it did not use any weapon and thus obviated the boon given by Brahma to Arunasura. The Bee was none other than Durga Devi herself who came to be known as Sri Braharamba (Bhramara meaning Bee). All the devatas were pleased and to calm down Devi's anger, Indra himslef came and offered tender coconut water from the celetial tree known as Kalpavriskha and performed Abhisheka to Bramarambha. They requested the Devi to stay here permanetly which she accepted and stayed on the island surrounded by the Nandini river, as Durga Paramsehwari. .
The Durgaparameshawari temple situated on a natural islet of the Nadini river which commemorates the divine deeds of Durga, the Adishaktti who slayed Arunasura, is built according to Kerala style of architecture inn its interior space. It is set amidst panoramic scenes and fascinating greenery. The two arms of the river Nandini are crossed by small bridges to enter the Temple which has an entrance towers built in the Dravidian style of Architecture, which is well decorated with stucco images of divine beings. The sanctum sanctorum where the principal deity Durga Parameshwari is deified is entered through the Dwajasthamba Mandapa (hall). Other deities in the temple complex are of Maha Ganapati and Shasta in pradakshina marg, Kshetra Palaka abode of Nagadevatha outside, an exclusive shrine of Brahma and bhojanasala on crossing a small river bridge. Rakteshwari shrine is outside on the road at the entrance.The temple has many spacious pillared halls with many sculptures, and is exceptionally well maintained by the management.
As Durga Devi appeared in the form of a big bee (Bramara) to slay the rakshasa, and as bees repel at the smell of Champaka flowers,, these flowers are not offered for her worship. In this keshtra , it is customary to offer tender coconut water to Sri Durga Parameshwari first which is then taken as prasad by devotees.The sanctum of the temple is perpetually wet and the Kumkum offered to the devotees is thus always wet.
The Kateel temple is also famous for Yakshagaana mela which is performed on the request by devotees who have taken a vow to arrange such a show; it is said that the temple now has 6 different Yakshagaana troupes to meet the demand of service. The temple also serves food in the form of lunch and dinner 365 days as devotees feel privileged to have the food as prasad.
Temple worship is open from 4 AM to 10 PM . The most popular festival in the temple is observed during Mesha Sankramana (Mid April) for eight days. Another important festival is the Laksha Deepotsava on Kartik Bahula Panchami day. Other important festivals include Navratri, Vasnatotsava and Naga Panchami.
The Kateel temple is about 25 km away from Managalore city, on the Mangalore - Bajpe – Kateel Road.Udupi is around 45 Km. Moodbidri is around 22 km.
- Narasipur Char
