Sharavu Temple, Mangalore

 Sharavu Temple, Mangalore






This temple was built in the 12th century by Tuluva King Veerabahu. The Shrine of Lord Sharabeshwara is located on the western side of the temple and that of Mahaganapathy is on the south. The story of its origin and importance of the temple is narrated in the Skanda Purana. It is an exceptional religious place having a great history of more than 800. years. The name "Sharavu" comes from the word "Shara," which means "arrow". King Veerabahu built the temple to atone for killing a cow. This Shivalinga is worshipped as Sharabeshwara.


I like the “kavacha” or the metal covering - of the lord. In the Sharavu temple the lord is covered with a silver kavacha that shows him as a mustached Shiva. The officiating priest here has whiskers which are similar and I wondered if he kept his as a mark of devotion to his Sharabeshwara.


The all wood on granite plinth structure is beautifully finished with carved wooden brackets. The sanctum faces west and the evening sun was slanting into the temple washing the space with a gold orange hue. 


The next few days we plan to do more temples here and we go with the blessings of Sharavu Mahaganapathy (a swayambu).


Sriram(Hari)

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