Ambaputra at 10:17, 4 May 2026

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{{Short description|Hindu temple in Kerala, India}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{original research|date=July 2012}}
{{more citations needed|date=July 2012}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox religious building
| name = Madhur Temple
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| image = Madhur temple.jpg
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| caption = Madhur Temple
| map_type = India
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| coordinates = {{coord|12.5534891|75.0101819|type:landmark_region:TW|display=inline,title}}
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| religious_affiliation = [[Hinduism]]
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| deity = [[Shiva]] and [[Ganapathi]]
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| region = [[Kasaragod Town|Kasaragod]], [[Tulunad]]
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'''Madhur Shree Madanantheshwara-Siddhivinayaka Temple''' is a popular [[Shiva]] and [[Ganapathi]] temple located {{cvt|7|km|mi}} from [[Kasaragod Town|Kasaragod]] town, on the banks of [[Mogral River|Mogral river]], locally known as ''Madhuvahini''.<ref>{{cite news |last= Sastry|first= Anil Kumar|date=26 December 2018|title=Madhur temple undergoes massive renovation|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/madhur-temple-undergoes-massive-renovation/article25828981.ece|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref> Though the main deity of this temple is Lord Shiva known as ''Madanantheshwara'', meaning the god who killed [[Kama]], the god of desires, more importance is given to Lord Ganapathi, who is installed facing south in the main sanctum itself. Priests of this temple belong to the [[Shivalli Brahmin]] community. [[Kashi Vishwanath Temple|Kashi Vishwanatha]], [[Ayyappan|Dharmasastha]], [[Subrahmanya]], [[Durga]] Parameshwari, [[Veerabhadra]] and [[Gulika]] are the sub-deities of this temple. There is also presence of Goddess [[Parvati]] inside the main sanctum.

==History==
[[File:Paddy-field-madhur-south-thulunad.jpg|thumbnail|Vicinity of Madhur]]
Madhur temple was originally Shree Madaneshwara (Shiva) Temple and as the lore goes, an old woman called Madaru from the local [[Tulu people|Tulu]] Moger Community discovered an "Udbhava Murthy" (a statue that was not made by a human) of [[shiva linga]]. Initially, the Ganapathy picture was drawn by a boy, on the southern wall of the [[Garbhagriha]]([[sanctum sanctorum]]) while playing. Day by day it became big and fat; so that the boy called Ganapathi as "boddajja" or "Bodda Ganesha". The legend of Kumble seme says [[Tipu Sultan]] wanted to demolish the temple like Adooru Mahalingeswara temple during his invasion of [[Coorg]], [[Tulunadu]], and [[Kerala]]. But after drinking water from the well of the temple, he changed his mind on attacking and demolishing the Garbhagudi and marched past Madhur. But to satisfy his soldiers and Islamic scholars he made a cut with his sword symbolizing the attack. The mark is still visible on the building that is built around the temple well.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://kasargod.nic.in/index_main.htm|title= TOURISM IN KASARAGOD|access-date= 20 May 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120414141741/http://kasargod.nic.in/index_main.htm|archive-date= 14 April 2012|url-status= dead}}</ref>
[[File:Sword mark left by Tipu Sultan at Madhur temple.jpg|thumb|Sword mark left by Tipu Sultan at Madhur temple]]

==Overview==
This is one of the six [[Ganapathi]] temples of ancient [[Tulunadu]]. The other five are Sharavu Mahaganapathy in [[Mangalore]], Mahaganapathy in Anegudde ([[Kumbashi]]), Siddi Vinayaka in [[Hattiangadi]] (Kundapura), [[Ganesha Temple, Idagunji|Dwibhuja Ganapathy in Idagunji]], and Ganapati at [[Gokarna, Karnataka|Gokarna]].<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=17 September 2005|title=The one-day speedy darshan|url=http://hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2005/09/17/stories/2005091703680100.htm|newspaper=The Hindu|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121102200314/http://hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2005/09/17/stories/2005091703680100.htm|archive-date= 2 November 2012}}</ref>

Devotees from all over throng during the various festivals that happen here. Currently, the temple is managed by the government. The temple also offers Veda classes to young vatus during summer vacation which also includes the basics of Sanskrit. The accommodation and food for the vatus are arranged by the temple authorities.

==Architecture==
The temple architecture is of 3-tiered gajaprishta type resembling the back of an elephant. The lower layer walls feature intricate wooden carvings of Ganesha in different poses. One can also find beautiful wooden carvings depicting scenes from the Ramayana. The vast spacious [[gopuram]]s give a good ambiance for the devotees to relax and enjoy the [[Ganesha|Ganapathi]]`s presence.<ref name="Govt of Kerala"/>

[[File:Intricate wood carvings of Ganesha at Madhur temple.jpg|thumb|Intricate wood carvings at Madhur temple featuring Ganapathi in different poses]]

==Prayers and offerings made==
[[File:Madhuvahini.jpg|thumb|Madhuvahini stream near Madhur Temple]]
Devotees usually offer prayers to Mahaganapathi in the form of "Udayastamana". A [[prasada]] known as "Appa" is prepared daily at the site, and offered to worshippers. Among the poojas that are performed, "Sahasrappa" (Thousand appas) is very prominent. It consists of making an offering of thousand appas and then the devotees get to take home all these (and eat them with full relish). Another very special pooja that happens is ''Moodappam Seva'' which involves covering the Mahaganapathi statue with ''Appam''. This is usually done on a community scale. Ganesh Chaturthi and Madhur Bedi are the occasions when the temple is at its busiest. The temple usually carries out special poojas on all the major festivals.<ref name="Govt of Kerala">{{Cite web|url=https://www.keralatourism.org/malabar/madhur-temple/158|title= Madhur Temple|publisher=Dept of Tourism, Govt of Kerala}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Kanipura Sri Gopalakrishna Temple]]
* [[Ananthapura Lake Temple]]
* [[Temples of Kerala]]

==References==
{{commons category}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Hindu temples in Kerala}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Kasaragod district]]
[[Category:Ganesha temples]]
[[Category:Shiva temples in Kerala]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Kasaragod district]]

Madhur Temple - Revision history

Ambaputra at 10:17, 4 May 2026