Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple Montimar

Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple Montimar is a temple of Goddess Sri Durgaparameshwari, situated in Monthimar, Manchi Village, Bantwal Taluk, Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka. It has earned the reputation as shrine of Goddess Durga. The two other deities worshipped here are Sri Mahaganapathi and Sri Mahalakshmi. This temple has a rich history of 177 years and has stood the test of time, undergoing reformation as and when needed both materially and spiritually. According to Dr. Gururaja Bhat, a renowned historian and archeologist, the idols of the deities here date back to the 13th century. The idol of Balamuri Ganapathi is exquisite and artistic.
Brief history
During the 15th century, unable to cope up with the threats of religious conversion from the Portuguese, the community of Sarawath Brahmins along with their kuladevatas (clan deities), migrated from the Gomanthaka (present Goa). Large groups of this community settled in Balavali Gram of Rajapura Taluk of Ratnagiri District of Maharashtra. Later on this group moved on and settled in Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka. The deities of Sri Durgaparameshwari, Sri Mahaganapathi and Sri Lakshmi were brought along with them. They were worshipped by the community under a small stopgap grass hut.
The temple was built during the (Jaya Nama Samvatsara, Vaishaaka Shudha Tadige) year 1883. During the year 1961-62 the temple underwent the Purnarpratista Utsava of the ‘Garbha Griha’. Ten years down the line, the temple was a wittiness to the Utsava under the presence of His Holiness Sri Sachidaananda Saraswathi Swami, the then Guru of Kaivalya Mutt. Later on, the temple underwent renovation i.e. Purnarpratista Brahmakalashotsava event during the year 1987.
In the earlier days, 16 families of the Balavalikar Saraswath Brahmins carried out the onus of the nityaanustaana in a sequence. After the Land reforms act was passed, the entire community contributed to the temple’s development.
Description
The Monthimar Sri Durgaparameshwari temple has a total of 5 acres of land, with coconut and areca nut plantations in a small area. Towards the north and south directions of the temple, there are two halls (Kalyana Mantapas). In the west direction, stands the guest house for the guests.
Bhajana Mandali
The Bhajana Mandali of this temple has a rich history and a lot of achievements to its credit. It has existed for more than 80 years and been serving actively and has become a model institution. The temple with support from its Bhajana Mandali conducted a seven week (49 days) Akhanda (Non-Stop) Bhajan program from 13 March 1992 to 1 May 1992. In fact, the Bhajana Mandali had feather of its cap when it dared to conduct 108 day Akhanda Bhajan Program in the end of he millennium Y2K. This was a factor which bonded the people of the Samaj together and also became more famous and came to limelight in the districts of Udupi, Kasargod. This program stands as an epitome or the Bhakti - devotion to God through music. In this mega event people were a witness to active participation by the various communities, representatives of various temples, thus unifying the spirit of Hinduism through its gross and subtle.
Besides these, Ekaha (one day) Bhajan, Sapthaha (one week) Bhajan and Ekadashi Bhajans are conducted regularly. The Bhajana Mandali also built a Swagatha Gopura at Monthimar Cross, Manchi. This now majestically welcomes all he devotees to the temple.
Brahmakalashotsava
The recent event held with jubilation was the Fourth BrahmaKalashotsava in the year 2010. 177 years since its inception, the temple is in its best form now, having the much needed modern infrastructure blended with the traditional roots of the Indian religious beliefs. The developmental works undertaken and completed for this BrahmaKalashotsava include:
# Construction of Pushkarani ( sacred tank).
# Construction of new Gopuram in the east direction of the temple.
# Construction of a new room for ‘Bhairava’.
# Flooring of the inner floor o the temple with modern sculpted stones.
# Fixing granite to the walls of Sri Maha Lakshmi and Sri Maha Ganapathi temple .
# Fixing granite to the floors of the Thertha Mantapa .
# Covering the roof of the GarbhaGudi with Copper plates.
# New throne for Goddess Sri Durgaparameshwari.
The Brahmakalashotsava lasted for 5 days from 5 April 2010 to 9 April 2010. The centre of attraction during the Cultural Programs conducted during these days was the ‘Jugal Bandhi’ performance by the world renowned Flutist Sri Pravin Ghodkhindi and Sitar player Ustad Sri Rafeeq Khan. The other programs include Dance performance by the various famed artists, sitcoms, mimickers, orchestra, devotional musical night and Yakshagana play-‘Raamaashwamedha’ by the students of Sri Kukilla Govinda Nayak. The cultural programs also provided a platform for the budding talents in the locality.
The new Gopuram was inaugurated by Sri Krishna Palemar, Minister of the Govt. of Karnataka.
The Pushkarni was inaugurated by Sri Nagaraja Shetty, Ex-minister Govt. of Karnataka. The guest lecture was delivered by Sri Kajampaadi Subramanya Bhat. During this Brahmakalashotsava the management committee of the temple was headed by Sri S.R Rangamurthy and the Brahmakalashotsava committee was headed by Sri Kumbakodu Chidaananda.
Administration
The governing committee comprises 8 members elected during Annual General meeting of the Balavalikar Saraswath Brahmin Samaj. The term of office is 5 years. This committee is responsible for the smooth running and efficient management of the temple and its activities. In a calendar year, four Utsavas are held and during the Navarathri 10 days special poojas are conducted. During these days Jaatra-Utsavas, Paathri Darshana Bali Seva also takes place.

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