HISTORY OF TEMPLE

   At the time of deluge,the Goddess Maariyamma appears to be a savior.She becomes the world all together, at the time of creation. She protects and conserves every living creature.
 

  Our Karkala is on the foot hill of western ghats. It is surrounded by thick evergreen forests and hills which resemble in magnificence the solemnity of a lion. Karkala is a beautiful cluster of tiny villages. It has been ruled by many rulers of various dynasties. Enriched by art and architecture,Goddess Maariyamma safeguarded this great place.
   

   Many dynasties worshiped this Goddess with a prayer to secure their boundaries and to protect their armies during wars or disasters. She served to be the goddess of power to their platoons.During the reign of Vijayanagara empire, the pople of Tulunadu started the worship of deities of power.The Tigalas, Rama Kshathriyas, Ranaveeras, Marathas and such races who where considered to be great warriors, migrated to Karkala.The Rama Kshathriyas are believed to be the people who installed this idol of Maariyamma, as goddess of power.
 

    As per the writings of poet Linganna, who wrote Keladi Nrupavijaya, a fort was established on the beach of the sea at Kaup in the year 1743. It was named as Manoharghad fort. Small troops from Mallar, Bailur, Karkala etc., were appointed

to safeguard the fort. To safeguard these troops, as a Goddess of supreme power, Maariyamma was worshiped.
 

    The fort which is near Marigudi in Karkala had been ruled by Bairava Aras, chieftains of Keladi dynasty and by British. There had been a warehouse, armoury, store house of ammunition within this fort. This fort had witnessed many wars. The brave warriors who wielded their swords against the offenders, worshipped Maariyamma offering their blood, before they plunged into warfield. It is belived that the people of 8 cluster of villages (8 Magane) sacrificed 4 buffaloes each to this deity. 32 buffalos would be sacrificed to Maariyamma every year. As a mark of that practice, 8 swords which had been used for this sacrifice, are brought to the temple, during the time of yearly festival and are worshiped in the temple. People belonging to 19 communities gather and perform this worship. This practice of killing the animals has been abandoned in the country, after 1960. This practice has taken a gentle form worship now. But he God Uchhangi, who is considered to be base form of Maari, is given meat and liquor as offerings even today.

 

    The royal dynasties have withered away in the flow of time. But Maariyamma stands with majesty in her place and protects her devoteesas ever. There was a practice of Darshana Seve (sooth saying) wearing nailed shoes. The decent folk practices still persist in the temple.
 

    The above mentioned are the historical evidences for the worship of Maariyamma. At present the hereditary heirs of the temple, the Ramakshathriyas run the management of the temple. Along with Goddess Maariyamma, the retinue of other deities such as Kote Mukhya Prana, Shree Uchhangi Amma, Naga deity and also Kalkuda, Varthe Thukatheri divine forms are worshiped.
 

     Every Tuesday, the worship of the throne (Gadduge Puje)ish held. People from far and wide arrive at Her presence to witness this puja. They pray the Goddess and find solutions to their problems. Every year, on May 19th people belonging to different castes and communities perform the puja of Goddess with grandeur. The worship goes on for two days. On the first day, a huge statue of Goddess is placed on the holy seat which is at Murumaarga and She is worshiped by thousands of devotees. Second day, the small proxy icon (Uthsav Murthi) is taken on in a grand procession and it is disbanded in a place named Maripalke near Ramasamudra. In the month of October, Navarathri Puja is performed for 9 days. On the last Tuesday, the holy fire Chandika Homa is performed. The fire offering, Agni Seva is performed soon after it. On the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami, Ayuda Puja is performed.The swords which were used in the sacrifice of buffalos, are also worshipped by cutting banana plants with it.

   

     As per the Ashtamangala Prashna, the presence of the deity is in the form of Mahakaali.The worship of this Goddess will result in the defeat of enemies and the evils, and sins of the world will be eliminated and the world will prosper.

 

     After a long-wait, the people of Karkala have been lucky enough to get a chance to participate in this great work of renovation of the temple of Goddess Maariyamma. Let this mother who has been bedecked by the garlands of precious ornaments of pearl, coral and emerald and shinning magnanimously with the colour of Champaka, seated in Bhadrasan posture and emitting a royal radiance, safeguarding her devotees, bring peace and prosperity to the world. This is our earnest prayer.