Kadri Sri Manjunatha Temple at the foot of the peaceful Kadri hill is one of the oldest and most sacred temples in Mangalore with divine glory mixed with the history and culture. The temple is dedicated to Lord Manjunatheshwara (a form of Lord Shiva) and is a masterpiece of ancient South Indian architecture as well as spiritual worship. Kadri Temple has the hushed atmosphere of the old world, its holy ponds, fine carvings, and still environment attract pilgrims, historians and travelers who want to experience peace and thoughts of the ancient world.
The temple was considered to have been built in the 10 th or 11 th century but later was rebuilt in the 14 th century with the help of stone and hence the resultant grandeur that the temple displays today. There is in the sanctum the beautiful five-foot Panchaloha (bronze) statue of Lord Lokeshwara (Brahma) one of the oldest bronze images in South India. The serene environment, the presence of a green vegetation and natural springs, adds spirituality to the temple and make it a worshiping center as well as a site of natural beauty.
Lord Parashurama is said to have done penance in Kadali Kshetra (now Kadri) after seeking forgiveness over his deeds. After his devotion Lord Shiva emerged as Manjunatheshwara and with him Goddess Parvathi blessed the place to become a holy place of residence. This classification of mythology gives the temple a lot of meaning, in terms of redemption, creation, and manifestation of God. The temple complex also depicts the peaceful co-existence of the Hindu and Buddhist influence, as seen in the existence of deities such as Machendranath, Gorakanath, Manjushri and Buddha therefore, it is a kind of rare cultural and spiritual fusion.
Kadri Temple is a cultural and spiritual destination to be included in the visit list of all visitors in Mangalore. The Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara Temple, St. Aloysius Chapel, Panambur Beach, and Pabba Ideal Café are the closest places that one can have the ideal combination of both the worship and relaxations. You can experience seamless temple touring with Scenery Travels which will offer you the combination of Divine history, faith and the natural beauty of the coastal landscape of Mangalore a journey that will bring divine heritage and calm beauty.