Ambalapadi Janardhan and Mahakali Temple

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Site Name: Janardhan and Mahakali Temple
Site Type: Hindu Temple
Location:  Ambalapadi, 3 kms from Udupi, around 65 kms from Mangalore, Karnataka state, India
Highlights: An important Hindu temple built in 16th century AD
Nearest Railway Station: Udupi (Mangalore train station has better connectivity from other parts of India; Udupi station is a small one with less connectivity)
Nearest Airport: Mangalore
How to reach: Well connected by road from Udupi
Hotel: A lot of options are available within Udupi and around Udupi
Restaurants: Udupi cuisine is popular; many vegetarian restaurants are located across the town

Udupi and places around Udupi in Karnataka state of India have a lot of important Hindu temples. Janardhan and Mahakali temple located in Ambalapadi near Udupi is one such popular temple in this locality.

There are temples for Krishna and temples for Kali. However, it is a rare temple dedicated to both Krishna (Janardhan) and Mahakali. The temple has two separate sections. The section containing the Janardhan shrine is built in old Kerala temple architectural style, whereas the section that has the Mahakali shrine is based on the modern day temple architecture.

Janardhan idol is small but extraordinarily beautiful. The images of Dwarapalas that stand outside the shrine also look outstanding. The shrine has sloping roof - a typical Kerala model architecture. The pillars have small beautiful images of various Hindu Gods.

Kali's idol is fierce. She looks extremely angry with her tongue coming out. The devotees are allowed to view the mirror image first before looking at this idol. The prakara surrounding the shrine has various small idols of Mother Goddess in different forms such as Saraswati, Kumari Durga, Durga holding bow and arrow, etc.

There is a small shrine separately for Vishnu and another for Vishnu Durga. The idols of Navagraha are also found in this temple. There is a spacious outer prakara in this temple.

A calm and serene site - a 400+ years old Hindu temple. Don't miss this if you travel to this part of India.

Happy travelling.


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