Significance/Importance of the Temple:
Recently a huge Pandal has been erected in front of Garbha Griha named as "Namaskara Mandapam" with 8 pillars made of black granite. It is a wooden structure with carvings of images of Gods. The central portion of this mandapam covers the Vimana of Sanctum Sanctorum and it has silver scripture of Lord Maha Vishu with the images of Sri Hanuman and Sri Garuda. Lord Maha Vishu is in Ananthasayana posture.
Srimath Anantheswar Temple situated at Manjeshwar in Kasaragod district kerala, is one of the holiest and oldest temples worshipped by the Gowda Sarawath Brahmin Community(GSB) popularly called as KONKANIS in Kerala. In its importance, this temple is only next to the Sri Venkatachalapathy Temple at Cochin known as "Cochin Tirumala Devasthan".
The
uniqueness of the temple is that there are three types of worship are
being offered of that Vaishnava, Shaiva and Naga worship is depicted
prominently. The fifth Guru of Shree Kashi Mutt Samsthan visited this
temple and
advised performing Poojas and rituals as per "PANCHARATRA Aagama" system
and this continues even now.
Idols in Sanctum Sanctorum(గర్భ గుడి)
The
Garbha Griha(Sanctum Sanctorum) has two parts, one visible to the
devotees from outside, and other not visible. in the visible part, at the
bottom is the idol of ShivaLingam called Lord Anantheswar and above
this is the idol of Nagaroopi Subramanyam. Besides there are two idols of
Vasuki, one made of Gold with five hoods and the other made of Silver
with seven hoods. There is then the Presiding Deity of Lord Sri Bhadra
Narasimha with his consorts Goddess Sreedevi and Bhudevi.
Description of the Temple Architecture:
Sri Anantheswara Temple is unique in that the Sanctum Sanctorum does not have any stones, cement, mortar or bricks. But the Garbha Griha is made of Mud covered with Cow-Dung.
Recently a huge Pandal has been erected in front of Garbha Griha named as "Namaskara Mandapam" with 8 pillars made of black granite. It is a wooden structure with carvings of images of Gods. The central portion of this mandapam covers the Vimana of Sanctum Sanctorum and it has silver scripture of Lord Maha Vishu with the images of Sri Hanuman and Sri Garuda. Lord Maha Vishu is in Ananthasayana posture.
History of the Srimad Anantheswar Temple:
It
is believed that the Temple was built before 8th century A.D. with the
idol of Shiva Lingam called Anantheswar. Later in 1799-1804 A.D., H.H Srimath Vibhudendra Tirtha Swamiji
installed the idol of Shri Bhadra Narasimha(Lord MahaVishnu) which is
now the presiding deity of the temple flanked by Goddess Bhudevi and
Sreedevi.
Sahasra Kumbhabhishekam was performed in the temple in the year 1875, 1920 and recently in 1977.
Annual Festival/Rituals:
1)The most important festival in this temple is a Seven-Day Festival held in the month of Margasheersha(December/January). The festival starts on the first day of Shukla Paksha of Margasheersha month and closes on Saptami day.
Among all the days, 6th day is most significant day on which RATHOTSAVAM(car festival) is celebrated where thousands of devotees from different parts of Kerala are participated. This Rath(Car) was constructed in 1831 and has a height of 71feet and six wheels.
2) Naga Panchami: On Nagapanchami day thousands of devotees gather and offer Naga Pooja to the Naga Idols at Naga Kutte under an Ashwatha Tree. This Naga Kutte is located outside the temple premesis(Nalambalam)
Special Poojas/Offerings:
There are various special poojas are being offered to the Lord. The special poojas/oferings are Archana, Abhishekam Deeparadhana, Karthika Pooja, Brahmana Santharpanam, Naga Pooja, Thulabaram and Angapradakshinam(Sayanapradakshinam).
Temple Management:
The temple is now managed by a committee of Trustees, elected from the members of the GSB community in and around the Town including Mangalore City.
Srimad Anantheswara Temple Timings and Address