Sri Manjunatha Temple, Kadri (Kadri Manjunatha Temple)
Folktale & Sacred Story
Temple tradition holds that Parashurama performed penance to Lord Shiva at this spot, then known as Kadalivana, and that Shiva promised to manifest here as Manjunatha; as a sign of this promise, seven sacred ponds (Sapta Teertha) are said to have appeared, fed by a spring issuing from a carved cow's-head channel (Gomukha Teertha) whose water is traditionally believed to originate from the Ganga. Devotees still bathe at these ponds before entering the temple. Later tradition connects the hill with the wandering Natha yogis Matsyendranath and Gorakhnath, said to have established their math beside the temple.
Most Revered Practice
Lakshadeepotsava, the 'festival of a lakh lamps', and the annual Rathotsava (chariot festival) are the temple's most important celebrations, alongside daily worship rites shared between the Shiva sanctum and the adjoining Natha Pantha (Jogimath) shrines.
Prasadam & Offerings
The temple distributes prasadam after daily poojas and offers Annadana Seva (free community lunch) to visiting devotees around midday.
Temple Speciality
Kadri uniquely layers Buddhist, Shaiva and Natha-yogi heritage in one hill complex — a Buddhist-era bronze Lokeshvara image, a Shiva sanctum, seven sacred ponds and a functioning Nath yogi math all stand within the same temple precinct.
Why Pilgrims Visit
Visitors can see one of coastal Karnataka's oldest dated bronze images, bathe at the seven sacred ponds, and experience a living Natha yogi monastic tradition alongside Shiva worship, all within Mangaluru city.
History & Legend
Widely considered the oldest Shiva temple in Mangaluru, the site was originally a Buddhist vihara known as Kadarika Vihara; its celebrated bronze image of Lokeshvara (Avalokiteshvara), about five feet tall, carries an inscription generally read as dated 968 CE recording its installation under the Alupa king Kundavarma, one of the earliest known inscriptional references to 'Mangalapura' (Mangaluru). As Buddhism declined in the region, the site passed into Natha Pantha and Shaiva use, and the temple's stone structure was rebuilt in the 14th century.
Divine Significance
Kadri is regarded as the most important centre of the Natha Pantha (Nath yogi tradition) in South India, and its Manjunatha shrine, with the historic Lokeshvara bronze, is venerated as one of the most ancient and sacred Shiva sites on the Karnataka coast.
Darshan Timings
Generally around 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM (please confirm exact timings with the temple before visiting, as they vary by season and festival).
How To Reach
Nearest airport is Mangaluru International Airport, Bajpe (about 20 km); nearest railway station is Mangaluru Central, only about 4-5 km away, making the temple easily reachable by city auto or bus.
Where To Stay
Being centrally located in Mangaluru, numerous hotels and lodges across all budgets are available throughout the city.
Local Food Nearby
Being within Mangaluru city, a wide range of Mangalorean vegetarian and coastal restaurants and eateries are available a short distance from the temple.
Contact & Official Info
Managed by a temple committee under the Karnataka Muzrai Department; local details can be confirmed through the Dakshina Kannada district administration or Mangaluru tourism offices.
Recommended Reading
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