History

Kudupu is a town in the indian state of Karnataka, situated about 10 km from Mangalore city center, on the Mangalore-Moodabidri-Karkala route (NH#13).

Kudupu also known as Kudpi derives its name from a Tulu word ‘Kudupu’. In the native language Tulu ‘Kudupu’ means a basket made out of a dried forest creeper which is used to drain water after boiling the rice. Native to coastal Karnataka region.

Kudupu is well known for its serpent temple – Sri Ananta Padmanabha Temple, one of the prominent naga-kshetras in the region.

Temple was under renovation since 2016. Renovation work got completed in February 2018. Brahmakalashotsava, a festival which marks the completion of renovation of a temple was held from 18 February 2018 till 25 February 2018. This Brahmakalashotsava was termed as festival of the century in the history of the temple, as the renovation of a temple usually happens once in many hundred years.
As the name of the temple suggests main deities are Ananta Padmanabha (Lord Vishnu), Subrahmanya and Vasuki Nagaraja (Serpent God).

Temple was under renovation since 2016. Renovation work got completed in February 2018. Brahmakalashotsava, a festival which marks the completion of renovation of a temple was held from 18 February 2018 till 25 February 2018. This Brahmakalashotsava was termed as festival of the century in the history of the temple), as the renovation of a temple usually happens once in many hundred years.

Festivals :

Following are some of the main festivals celebrated in the temple

• Subrahmanya Shashthi – In the month of November/December. Champa Shashthi.
• Kiru Shashthi – In the month of December/January. 6th day of Pushya Shuddha.
• Nagara Panchami – In the month of July/August. Shravana Shuddha Nagara Panchami.
• Annual Festival – In the month of December/January. From Margashira Shuddha Padya to Margashira Shuddha Shashti.
• Brahmakalashotsava – 18 February 2018 till 25 February 2018.

Main deity Lord Anantha Padmanabha in the main sanctum, is faced towards west. Naga Bana (place of serpent deity) though situated in eastern portion of the temple it is also faced towards west. There are more than three hundred of Serpent Idols in this Naga Bana. Holy pond Bhadra Saraswathi Thirtha is situated left side of the temple. In front of the temple there is one small shrine dedicated to Sub-deity Jarandaya. Inside behind the main sanctum there lies Sub-deity Shree Devi and Lord Mahaganapathi in southern portion. A holy anthill situated inside the temple beside which there is a stone idol of Lord Subramanya and either side of the main sanctum there are stone idols dedicated to Jaya and Vijaya (statues of divine watchmen). Out side in front of the temple there lies one Valmika Mantapa either side of which there are Shrines of Ayyappan and Navagriha.

Deities and Sub-deities Of The Temple :

• Ananta Padmanabha Devaru
• Naga Devaru
• Subrhmanya Devaru
• Shree Devi Ammanavaru
• Maha Ganapati Devaru
• Jarandaya Daiva
• Ayyappa Swamy
• Navagriha

Special Poojas and Celebrations in temple :

• Ashada Hunnime (full moon day in Ashada Masa)
• Gokulashtami (Birth day of Lord Krishna)
• Gouri Tritiya Dina Navnana (Podwar)
• Vinayaka Chowthi
• Soura Righupakarma
• Anantha Chathurdhashi
• Navarathri
• Deepavali (Setting out of Bali)
• Tulasi pooja till Karthika Masa Uttana Dwadhashi and Ksheerabdhi on Dwadhashi day.
• Kartika Hunnime Deepotsava
• Maha Shivarathri Deepotsava
• Vishu Sankramana
• Vrishabha Masa Hunnime (Setting in of Bali)
• Four-day festival from Dhanurmasa Shuddha Chathurdhashi.
• Jarandaya Nema
• Dompada Bali Nema
• Beshada Bandi Nema

Offerings at The Temple :

List of sevas performed at the temple

• Naga Tambila
• Panchamritha Abhisheka
• Ashlesha Bali
• Ratriya Hoovina Pooje
• Madyahnada Hoovina Pooje
• Pancha Kajjaya
• Karthika Pooje
• Shashwatha Seve
• Shashwatha Annadana Seve
• Sarpa Sanskara
• Naga Pratishte
• Ashlesha Bali Udyapane
• Ksheeraabhisheka
• Sahasra Namarchane
• Halu Payasa
• Purusha Sookta Abhisheka
• Amruthapadi Nandadeepa
• Appa Kajjaya
• Pavamana Abhisheka
• Ondu Dinada Mahapooje
• Ayyappa SAmy Pooje
• Navagriha Pooje
• Navagriha Japa
• Ashtotthara Archane

Ashlesha Bali

Ashlesha Bali is one of the important Seva in the temple. Excepting days of Ekadashi and Annual Festival occasion in all other days this seva can be performed. This seva begins in the evening 5’o clock and end up in around 6.30 p.m. Since there will be a heavy rush for the seva on Ashlesha Nakshatra Day the seva will continue till 11.00 p.m. Only on that day a night meal will be offered to the devotees and participants. Giving individual attention to the participants of this seva is the specialty of this Kshetra.

Mythology :

Once there was a Brahmin Vedic scholar called ‘Kedar’ who was very orthodox, kind and religious follower. But he was extremely worried of not having a child. Thinking of that the blessing of Saint is ultimate resort for having a child he wandered everywhere searching one such saint. Finally his search fructified when he came contacted with one such holy Saint called ‘Shringa Muni’ near a small river ‘Bhadra Saraswathi Thirtha’ in midst of a big forest. He prostrated before a saint and placed his reason for worries. Hearing this a saint told him to stay there and start penance regarding Lord Subramanya who would fulfill your wishes. Saint also detailed him about the holiness of that place and the river.

Kedar accepted the advise of the saint and stood there and started a rigorous penance regarding Lord Subramanya with great concentration of mind and devotion. In penance he forgot all about his surroundings and himself. It continued for many years. As his penance became so intense it created a sort of immense heat in the surrounding and it spread everywhere even up to heaven. Devatas, humans, animals found it very hard to sustain. Everybody began to worry about the future if it continues like this. Worried about his penance Devatas went to Satyaloka to see Lord Brahma and told him the situation. Thinking of that Lord Mahavishnu only could redress the problem Lord Brahma accompanied by Devatas met him and detailed him with all about the situation. Hearing this Lord Mahavishnu said that Kedar is meditating regarding Lord Subramanya and only he could give remedy to this problem. Lord Mahavishnu promised Brahma and Devatas that he will meet Subramanya and accordingly he met him and told that Kedar is meditating upon him with a single desire of having a child that could be fulfilled by him only. He also asked Lord Subramanya to appear before Kedar and bless him with a child. But Lord Subramanya told that there is no child in the fate of Kedar and he is eligible only for salvation. But on the request of Lord Mahavishnu, Subramanya appeared before Kedar and blessed him with children. Kedar is so happy and expecting a child he settled near that Bhadra Thirtha River itself duly meditating and worshiping Lord Subramanya.

After some day wife of Kedar saw a serpent laying eggs and thought even snakes have good fortune of having children and worried too much about her fate comparing to that serpent. Year passed and Kedar’s wife became pregnant and couple becomes very happy expecting a child. But after nine months, to their and everybody’s surprise Kedar’s wife delivered three eggs which was more looking like serpent eggs. Devatas thought these eggs are nothing but an incarnation of Lord Mahavishnu, Lord Mahashesha and Lord Subramanya and became very happy.

But Kedar was not happy. Even after rigorous penance if God blessed him with these eggs as children it is nothing but fate and a result of past action. That time he heard a divine voice coming from ether saying that these eggs are nothing but an incarnation of Lord Mahavishnu, Lord Mahashesha and Lord Subramanya for the sake of betterment of the world. It also realized him that he does not have further children and advised him to erect the eggs secretly at the place where he did penance upon Lord Subramanya. It blessed a place and River as a holy spot and whoever takes bath in the river will be blessed with children and freed from all sickness and sin. A divine voice also advised him to stay in that holy place worshiping Lord Anantha Padmanabha (another name of Lord Mahavishnu) and blessed him with salvation at the end of his life.

Hearing this voice Kedar became so happy and he kept those eggs in a basket weaved with forest creeps called Kudupu in local language and kept secretly in the place where he meditated upon Lord Subramanya. He spent his rest of life meditating upon Lord Anantha Padmanabha and attained salvation at the end of his life. Now in that place an anthill was grown and the place is well known as Shree Kshetra Kudupu. A small river called Bhadra Saraswathi Thirtha resides near the temple itself.