-News : Anand Kumar Barkur, Visuals : Herbert Joseph Menezes
Five-day religious and cultural celebration draws devotees from across the region.
Barkur, December 16, 2025 – The historic Sri Kula Mahastri Ammanavara Temple in Bennekudru, Barkur, is hosting its annual Jatra Mahotsava (grand festival) from December 15-19, 2025. The five-day celebration, which began yesterday with the traditional Genda Seva ceremony marking Dhanu Sankramana (winter solstice), features an array of religious rituals and cultural performances.
Cultural Festivities Draw Crowds
The festival opened on Monday evening with a Yakshagana performance by the Sri Amruteshwari Yakshagana Mandali from Kota, presenting the epic tales "Karnaarjuna Kalaga" and "Kankangi Kalyana."
Today, December 16, the celebrations continue with a devotional music program at noon featuring renowned artist Rajesh Shanubhog and his troupe, performing "Ganamrta" – a collection of devotional and folk songs. The event is part of the Pikalingarav Smruti Melodies tribute.
This evening marks the 42nd annual celebration of the Mogaveera Yuvaka Sangha (Mogaveera Youth Association) of Bennekudru Barkur, featuring the Tulu comedy play "Ennane Kathe" (What a Story!), directed by state award-winning artist Telikeda Bolli Devadas Kafikad and performed by Cha Parka Kalavider from Kudla.
Tomorrow, December 17, the Mogaveera Mahila Sangha (Mogaveera Women's Association) will celebrate its 18th anniversary with a Yakshagana performance of the devotional tale "Rama Rama Sri Rama" by the Sri Gnana Shakti Subrahmanya Krupaposhita Yakshagana Mandali from Pavanje, under the direction of Satish Shetty.
A Temple Steeped in History
Located on a small island surrounded by the Seeta River, approximately 1.5 kilometers west of historic Barkur, the Sri Kula Mahastri Temple holds special significance for the Mogaveera community across the undivided South Kanara district. With a history spanning nearly a thousand years, the temple has been the spiritual headquarters for nine generations of revered gurus.
According to local legend (Sthala Purana), Bennekudru served as a military outpost during the pre-Vijayanagara period and housed a Veerabhadra temple worshipped by military commanders. A female ascetic from the Mogaveera community arrived from the north and gained popularity by using her divine powers to heal people's suffering. When she miraculously saved a military commander from grave danger, she received royal honors.
Her brother, a guru couple, later arrived with the blessings of Sri Devi, achieved through their spiritual practices. They established the temple by consecrating the deity next to the Veerabhadra shrine, creating what is now worshipped as Sri Kula Mahastri Ammanavara – a manifestation of five divine powers (Panchangas). The ascetic woman is believed to be the deity now worshipped as Ajjamma Devaru.
Unique Religious Traditions
The temple is renowned for its collective prayer tradition, where devotees gather for community well-being. Sri Kula Mahastri represents the combined aspects of five goddesses: Annapoorna, Bhadrakali, Mariyamma, Durga, and Pratibimba Swarupini. Similarly, Veerabhadra encompasses five divine forms: Naga, Brahma, Rakteshwari, Nandi, and Kshetrapala.
The temple features both pedestal (Peetha) and image (Bimba) consecration, with a unique large mirror behind the deity allowing devotees to see the goddess's form reflected in their own image – a distinctive form of worship.
The temple remarkably survived foreign invasions that destroyed many other temples in the Barkur region, preserving its original character and continuing the centuries-old tradition of collecting annual lamp offerings (Deepa Kaanike) from every household to keep the eternal lamp (Nandaadeep) burning.
A Living Heritage
The temple once maintained one of the finest guru lineages in South Kanara district, with all gurus bearing the honorific title "Mangala Poojaarya" after the founding guru's name. The last guru, Sri Madhava Mangala Poojaarya, passed away in 1966, leaving the position of Mogaveera Kula Guru vacant since then.
The festival continues to honor these ancient traditions while bringing together the community through religious observance and cultural celebration. The temple also maintains its historical connection to the fishing community, with collective prayers led before the fishing season begins – a tradition that continues to this day.
All are welcome to attend the festival and receive the blessings of Sri Kula Mahastri Ammanavara at this historic pilgrimage site.
The festival concludes on Friday, December 19, 2025.
