Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple Montimar is located in Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka and is dedicated to Goddess Durgaparameshwari. The temple is situated in the Manchi Village in the Bantwal Taluk. The temple also houses two other deities Sri Mahaganapathi and Sri Mahalakshmi.
History of Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple
Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple has a rich history of almost 177 years. According to a famous historian and archaeologist Dr. Gururaja Bhat the idols of the temple date back to 13th century. Religious conversion under the Portuguese was rampant during the 15 century A.D. Hence the Sarawat Brahmins migrated with their clan deities from Gomanthaka (present Goa). Most of them settled down in Balavali Gram of Ratnagiri District of Maharashtra. Later they shifted their location and settled in Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka. They brought with them the deities of Sri Mahaganapathi, Sri Durgaparameshwari and Goddess Lakshmi.
Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple was constructed in 1883. The Purnarpratista Utsava of the `garbhagriha` was organised during the year 1961-62. The temple organised a festival in the presence of His Holiness Sri Sachidaananda Saraswathi Swami. He was the spiritual leader of Kaivalya Mutt. The temple was repaired and renovated in 1987.
Construction of Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple
Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple is spread over an area of 5 acres of land. Coconut and areca nut plantations are grown in a small area. The temple has two halls on the northern and southern directions. A guest house has been built on the western direction. The temple has been built in a modern style with a blend of traditional architectural design. Several developmental works have been carried out such as construction of a new gopuram in the eastern side of the temple, fixing of granite to the walls of Sri Maha Ganapathi temple and Sri Maha Lakshmi and to the floor of Thertha Mandapa, construction of Pushkarani, building of new room for `Bhairava,` covering of the roof with copper plates, making a new throne for Goddess Durgaparameshwari and flooring with modern sculpted stones of the inner floor of the temple. The new Gopuram of the temple was inaugurated by the Minister of the Govt. of Karnataka, Sri Krishna Palemar and the Pushkarni was inaugurated by the ex-minister Govt. of Karnataka, Sri Nagaraja Shetty.
Festivals of Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple
Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple has a bhajana mandali that has been functioning for more than 80 years. The temple has performed several functions such as the Akhanda Bhajan program that was held from 13 March 1992 to 1 May 1992. People from different communities and representatives of different temples actively participate in these functions. Apart from these Sapthaha (one week) Bhajan, Ekaha (one day) Bhajan and Ekadashi Bhajans are held regularly. A Swagatha Gopura has also been built by the Bhajana Mandali at Monthimar Cross, Manchi. In 2010 the fourth Brahma Kalashotsava was organised. Apart from this the temple also organises the Navaratri festival. During this time Paathri Darshana Bali Seva and Jaatra Utsavas also takes place.
Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple has a governing committee of 8 members. They are elected during annual general meeting conducted by the Balavalikar Saraswath Brahmin Samaj. The committee looks after the smooth and effective functioning of the management of the temple.
