The beautiful coastline that stretches from Kasargod in Kerala to Gokarna in Karnataka is a path that is known for its natural beauty and scenic views, is also popularly known as “Ganesha Coast” also known as “Parasurama Kshetram”. There is a reference to this coast even in “Treta Yugam”, according to the legend Parashurama Kshetram is the land that was reclaimed by Lord Parashurama from the sea.
There are Six popular Temples on this coast. It is considered auspicious to visit all these temples in one day. Locals say if anybody visits all these temples in day between dawn and dusk along with his family, he will receive special blessings of the elephant god.
The stretch of 300 km has Six Ganesha temples along the coastline. They are – Madhur Mahaganapathi temple (Kasargode), Sharavu Mahaganapathy Temple (Manglore), Anne Gudde Mahaganapathi temple ( Kumbhashi), Siddi Vinayaka Hattiangadi (Kundapura), Dwibhuja Ganapathi (Idagunji) and the Ganapati temple (Gokarna). Each of the six Ganapathi has its own legend to narrate and its own story to relate.
Madhur Mahaganapathi temple
Madhur Ganapathi Temple is also known as Madur Madanantheswara Siddhi Vinayaka temple. It is located in the bank of river Madhuvahini. The main presiding deity is Lord Shiva. However, the temple is famous for MahaGanapathi and people believe Ganapathi idol will be keep growing. The main attraction of Madhur Ganapathi Temple is the three tier structure with copper plated roofs and spectacular wooden sculpture. The carvings characterize historic events of Mahabharata and Ramayana, that we can see in the ceilings of Namaskara Mantapa(Prayer hall).
Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple
The 800 year old Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple is one of the major tourist attractions of Mangalore city. The name “Sharavu” is derived from “Shara” which means arrow. About eight centuries back, the “Sthalapurana” or local legendary depicts, a very powerful king, Maharaja Veerabahu of Tuluva region, killed a cow by sheer mistake by shooting it with an arrow. He in reality meant to shoot the tiger which was standing besides the cow. But, his terrible sin had to be erased, for which he did install a “Shiva Linga” as per the suggestion of a great seer Sri Bharadhwaja. This Shivalinga has been worshipped by the Maharaja as Sharabeshwara. This sacred place was termed thereafter as “Sharavu” and the newly formed temple tank as “Sharatheertha”.
Annegudde Mahaganapathy Temple
Anegudde Shri Mahaganapathi temple is located in Kumbhashi, 9 kms from Kundapur. It is one of the most beautiful and popular Temple on the coast. It is also one of the ‘Sapthakshetra’ of ‘Tulanadu’ and also called as Mukti Sthala.
The Lord is called Siddhi Vinayaka or Sarva Siddhi Pradaayaka ,People believe in him that he solves all their problems. All around the shrine there are sculptural depictions from the Bhargava Purana. Anegudde means elephant (Aane) hillock (Gudde) and it is the abode of the elephant god, Sri Vinayaka. It is one of the six ganesha temples of the Parasurama Kshetra.
It is believed when drought hit this area, the sage Agasthya came here to perform yagna to please the rain god. The demon Kumbhasura tried to disrupt the yagna by troubling the sages performing the yagna. To rescue the sages, Lord Ganesha blessed Bheema, the strongest among the Padavas with a sword, using which Bheema killed the demon and facilitated the completion of the yagna. In Theertha Prabandham Shri Vadirajaru exlained, since Bheema Killed demon using the sword(Asi) the name of the place is termed as Kumbhashi.
Siddi Vinayak Temple
Hattiangadi is a village located at a distance of 14 km from Kundapur in Udupi district. The ancient temple at Hattiangadi is dedicated to Lord Ganesh popularly known as Siddi Vinayaka.
The Lord Ganapathi Temple (coast of Ganesha ) is situated on the bank of River Varahi. It is the only Temple in India, where the idol of Lord Vinayaka sports a jata-hair. The idol itself is carved of a Saligrama stone and is 2.5 feet high and Vinayaka’s curly hair is left loose at the back. The trunk is bent towards the left. It is believed that the idol may be in standing posture. The deity’s right hand is situated inside the basement and holds a vessel full of Modakas in its left hand.
According to experts, the deity is of Bala Ganesha, which has just two arms and various ornaments are also found on the idol. The statue grows in size every year and this is visible from the fact that it has outgrown the silver casting. The entire shrine is carved from black marble. Since the God is supposed to grant the wishes of the devotees, the title ‘Siddi’ is conferred on Lord Vinayaka.
Idugunji Ganapathi temple – coast of Ganesha
Idugunji Ganapathi temple is one of the popular temples in Udupi district. The temple was built more than 1500 years back and the two-handed idol holds Modaka in one hand and a lotus in the other.
According to the legend Lord Krishna was about to leave for Vaikunta and fearing the advent of Kali Yuga once he departed, many sages led by Sage Valakilya were performing penances. But their penances were hindered in various ways. So they prayed to Lord Krishna, who sent Maharishi Narada to help them. Narada came to the Rishis and told them to pray to Lord Vigneswaraya (Ganapathi) who is the remover of all obstacles. The Rishis asked Narada where they should perform the Puja to propitiate Shri Ganapathi. Maharishi Narada led them to the banks of the River Sharavathi. Here, he pointed out a place called Kunjaranya. Maharishi Narada told the Rishis that in a previous age, the Holy Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva had come here to stop the destruction wreaked by the Asuras on Earth. They had created the Chakrathirtha and Brahmathirtha lakes. Maharishi Narada and the other Rishis created a new lake called Devathirtha here. Then Narada brought Shri Ganapathi along with all the other Gods and the Trinity here. Ritual rites were performed and hymns were chanted in praise of Shri Ganapathi. Pleased with his devotees, Lord Ganapathi agreed to stay in this place to help the Rishis conduct their penances without any hindrance. Another lake called Ganeshathirtha was formed here to bring water to the temple. This place eventually came to be known as Idagunji.
Gokarna
The Ganapathy temple (coast of Ganesha ) in Gokarna has an idol that is similar to the one in Idugunji temple. It is located close to the Mahabaleswar temple. It is also believed that people first visit the Ganapathy temple here before heading to the Mahabaleswar temple.
According to the legend it is here the Ganesha deceived Ravana, into placing the Atmalingam here itself instead of carrying it to Lanka. Had Ravana managed to carry the linga to Lanka, then he would become invincible and more powerful than all the gods put together. When Ganesha foiled Ravana in his mission, the enraged Asura hits him on the head.
Even today the head of the Ganesha idol consecrated in the Mahaganapathi temple at Gokarna has a soft point, This is the place where Ravana hit Ganesha, says our puranas. Here, devotees can themselves perform abhisheka to Ganesha. Moreover, devotees are allowed to touch the God and also make his own offerings.
The pilgrimage trip of Ganesha coast ends at the scenic Gokarna the whole route is along the coastal line filled with spectacular sceneries.
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