Karnataka: Historical change at 1400 year-old Halekote Maariyamma Temple on Sunday

MANGALURU: Kudla will witness a historical change on Sunday morning during Brahmakalasha ceremony of Halekote Shree Maariyamma - Mahishamardini Temple, which dates back to 1400 years. The name of the temple will be changed back to its old name Halekote Shree Maariyamma Temple and also current deities Maariyamma and Mahishamardini will be replaced with installation of wooden statue of Maariyamma.
The change is taking place after 14 years.
During the 2004 Brahmakalasha ceremony, both Maariyamma and Mahishamardini took centre stage. However, during an ashtamangala prasanamm in 2018, it was shown that from hundred years, the temple was worshipping a wooden statue of deity Maariyamma and the same be restored back. Ashtamangala prasanamm was pressed after people living in the temple vicinity faced certain issues (Such as unpropitious). The statue will be placed between 11.10am to 12.40pm on Sunday and Brahmakalasha rituals are scheduled on Monday.
Payasam items distributed
The temple Brahamakalasha committee had decided to mass feed 10,000 devotees. However, with restrictions to public gathering, the committee decided to distribute payasam items to each house, which includes green gram dal, jaggery, dry fruits, coconuts and cardamom. “. On the Monday after mahapuja and Brahmakalasha rituals every house will prepare payasam and have it during lunch. The rituals will be telecast on local channel,” explained another committee member. The payasam, which served as prasadam will be received by more than 25,000 devotees, according to the temple committee.
The old wooden statue will be used for research purposes while lingas of Maariyamma and Mahishamardini will be stored and not available for public viewing hereafter.