History

Kateel or Kateelu is a temple town in the Dakshina Kannada district of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is considered one of the holiest Hindu temple towns in India. It is stuated on the banks of the river Nandini, a tributary of the Netravati river.
It is about 26 kilometers away from Mangaluru. Kateel locates on the way to Udupi. Between Bajpe where Mangalore International Airport locates and Kinnigoli an important junction.
In Tulu, ‘Kati’ means ‘center’. Kateel is midway between Kanakagiri, the source of the river, and Pavanje, where the river joins the sea. ‘Ila’ means area (land), thus the place is called ‘Kati + lla’, Kateel.
The town hosts the temple of Sri Durga Parameshwari. The temple is situated on an islet in the middle of the sacred river Nandini amidst panoramic scenes and fascinating greenery. Thousands of devotees visit Kateel every day to seek blessings from goddess Durga Parameshwari.