Durga Parameswari temple is dedicated to Goddess Bramaraambigai. It is located at Kateel, about 25 kms from Mangalore. The main sannadhi for Durga is beyond the Dwajasthambha mandapam. Silver plating is done on the flag staff. The Devi is in a seated posture with four arms. She holds the Changu and Chakram in the upper arms. The lower hands are in the abhaya & varadha mudras. The Devi destroyed the asura Arunaasuran and thus is also known by the name Arunaasuramardini. As she killed the asuran in the form of a bee (bramaram), she is known by the name Bramaraambigai. As the Devi is seated in the middle of the Nandini River, the place is called Kateel.
Rakteswari (a swayambu rock), Mahaaganapati, Ayyappan, Kshetrabalas, Nagas are the other deities worshipped in the temple.
Legends of Durga Parameswari temple
Jaabaali rishi had planned to conduct a yaagam for the prosperity of the world as at that time it was suffering from acute famine. He requested Lord Indra to send the Kaamadhenu to provide all the materials for the Yaagam. Since Kaamadhenu was not available, Indra offered the services of his daughter Nandini. Nandini refused to go to earth. This angered the sage and he cursed that she be born on earth. Nandini prayed to the Goddess in order to get relieved from the curse. Goddess asked Nandini to appear on earth as a river retaining her purity & purifying others.
The other legend is regarding the asur Arunaasuran. He had fled the battlefield during the war between Devi & Sumba, Nishumban. He had got the boon that he cannot be destroyed by man, animal, bird living in land or water. On the request of Lord Vishnu Devi came to earth in the form of a beautiful maiden. Arunaasuran followed her. She vanished behind a rock in the middle of the Nandini River. He struck the rock, splitting it. Goddess appeared as a bee, killed Arunaasura & destroyed his army.
This article is a stub. You can enrich by adding more information to it. Send your Write Up to content@indianetzone.com