Random Scribbling: Sri Anantheshwara Siddhi-Vinayak Temple, Madhuru

The temple is situated around 7km north-east of Kasargod town of Kerala state. Even if Lord Ananteshwara is established in temple, main attraction is the Lord Vinayak appearing on the wall. The temple surrounded with full greenery. The temple town has magnificent look with hills at nearby distance and the coconut-arecanut plantations. Madhuvaahini stream flows from north to south in front of temple. The temple has 3 level structure facing east and having shape of "GajaPrushta". The same type of structure can be seen in Ananteshwara temple of Udupi near Sri Krishna Math. The top two levels have copper cover while the lowest one has tile cover. One can observe beautiful sculpture in and around temple. It is believed that the "GajaPrushta" shape is influenced from ancient Buddhism. It is believed that even Nepali style may have influenced temple structure. The heavy rains of coast has influenced such a structure.

THE STRUCTURE OF MADHURU TEMPLE

FRONT PORTION

SIDDHI VINAYAK TEMPLE

There is a small gopura in west of temple. The devotees are allowed to enter only from here. Lunch House (Bhojana Shaale) can be found towards left of main entrance. You can view the backside of temple from west entrance. There is a small pond towards north-east of temple. Madhuvahini stream flows in front of temple. During heavy monsoon season, the stream swells and enters temple premises too. Towards left of temple frontside, you can find seva kacheri. All announcements are done in Hindi, Malayalam, Tulu and Kannada. The notice boards are written even in Kannada Language. In front of temple, one can see bronze pillar (Dhwaja Sthamba). Lord ananteshwara is established facing east. While you walk around temple, first temple which is found is Kashi Vishwanatha. You can also find prasada distribution counter near-by. The Lord Vinayak icon is facing south. It is not visible clearly. One can have somewhat clear sight if viewed from nearby wall. Few steps further you can see Ayyappa and Parvathi temples. You can also view the stack of coconut meant for Gana Homa and Pumpkin meant for lunch. Still further, one can see Subramanya Gudi. Nearby, one can see temple kitchen and well too. Near by well, one can see trace of sword created by Tippu Sultan. History says that Tippu Sultan had plans to demolish the temple. However since he drank water here, it is believed that he left temple untouched with small trace. Because of this, the king of Mayappadi conducted large scale moodappa seve here on 1795. The area around temple is wide. One can also enjoy the oil paintings on the wall of temple.

TEMPLE POND

PUMPKIN STACK AND OIL PAINTINGS

BEAUTIFUL SCULPTURES

The shiva linga is bit special here since it has some traces of injury. It is believed that a lady named "MADARU" while cutting grasses, her tool hit a stone from where blood started to flow. When she informed the incident to her relatives, all of them approached the territory king on the incident. It is believed that king and the people when prayed together with an intention to build temple near water body, the icon appeared near banks of Madhuvahini stream. Since animals were leading friendly life in that region, people decided to construct a temple in the same place as per the folklore. Backside of temple has banyan tree. The mark of Tiger-Cow resting together which is the Tiger stone can be even found now. The name "MADARU" turned into "MADHURU" as per folklore.

Lord Vinayaka appearing on wall:
Once the children of priest of Madhuru during festival time, drew picture of Lord Vinayaka and decorated it with flowers. They took the Rice powder brought by elders and mixed it with water and created round pastes. These were offered as Naivedya to Lord Vinayaka by the children. The elders got surprised and performed rituals as per tradition. They mixed jaggery to the paste. Unboiled "PACHAPPA" naivedya started as tradition from this day. Later a sculptor of the drawing was raised with KaduSharkaraPaaka. To this sculptor, a gudi with small door was also constructed as per folklore. The lord Vinayaka here is Balamuri Vinayaka (trunk twisted towards right).

Specialities:
1) Here Moodappa Seve, Udayastamana Seve and GanaHoma Seve are prominet for Lord Vinayaka. Rudrabhisheka is famous seve for Lord Ananteshwara.
2) Every year 5 day annual festival is celebrated. The fourth day is Bedi (fireworks) day. After performing pooje in Uliyattadka Moola Sthana, the special fireworks is peformed in Madhuru temple Bedi Katte. The next day is last day of festival. All along 5 days special programmes like Sangeetha, Yakshagana are conducted.
3) Every day devotees are served with free lunch. You need to take lunch token before 12:30PM.

How to reach:
1) There is ample bus facility from Kasargod town.
2) No direct bus from Mangalore. One has to travel to Kasargod and find another bus.
3) Better to hire taxi from Mangalore. You can even visit attractive places nearby.
4) For people who travel on their own vehicle from Mangalore, one has to find deviation 4km before Kasargod which is called as chowki. From here take a left turn. From here onwards there is no proper road directions. You will have to take help from local people. Even Google Map may help. Otherwise you can even reach till Kasargod and take Madhuru road. You may get good guidance from here.

Stay:
There is only one Madhuvahini guest house nearby temple. You can even stay in Kasargod town. If you prefer Karnataka, stay either in Mangalore or Puttur.

Temple Timings:
6:30AM to 12:30PM
5:30PM to 8:30PM (watch out for long gap)

Time to visit:
November to February. During Sankashti, Ganesha Chaturthi, Sundays, Maha Shivaratri and annual festival, the temple is heavily crowded.

Nearby tourist attractions: