Sri Veera Maruthi Temple dedicated to Hanuman,
popularly known as “Kote Hanumantha”, at Nandavar.

by

Srikant
Author of “Power in Temples: A Modern Perspective.”

buddhirbalam yashodhairyam
nirbhayatvam arogatah I
ajaadyam vakparuwam cha
hanumat smaranaat bhavet II

“Constant remembrance and devout adoration of Hanuman who is chiranjeevi (immortal) bestows on the votaries all that they need for their welfare, success and happiness: intellectual brilliance and eloquence, glory and excellence, courage and fearlessness, good health and sprightliness”.

“It is well-known that Sri Hanumanji, the greatest devotee of Lord Sri Rama, is worshipped by one all and it is also understood that, wherever Sri Rama is worshipped, Sri Hanumanji is also present to bless the devotees with more and more devotion to the Lord”.

“Gigantic and majestic beyond imagination were Hanuman's acts and glorious deeds. The whole world knows the splendor of Hanuman. His glory is beyond human language or tongue. The Ramayana is filled with his glorious deeds, his valor, strength and devotion. In fact, there could be no Ramayana without him. He has shown to the world how one can become a real servant of God. He worshipped Lord Rama with the attitude of a servant and by the servant-Master attitude, he attained a lofty plane in spiritual sphere. Today he is being worshipped by one and all in innumerable temples and homes. The worship of Hanuman symbolizes the worship of the Supreme Lord for acquiring the divine qualities of perfection found in Hanuman.”.

Location of the Hanuman Temple at Nandavar

Sri Veera Maruthi Temple, an ancient Heritage Center dedicated to Hanuman (in his dynamic and heroic aspect), is located close to the southern bank of Netravati, one of the major rivers of South India, near Bantwal town, about 25 kms from Mangalore city in Dakshina Kanara District, Karnataka State, India. This ancient and sacred place of worship has withstood the ravages of time, besides the aggression of alien marauders from time to time. 'A Brief History of Nandavar' (the place where the temple is situated) reveals the fact that the temple of "Kote Hanumantha" (the deity of Sri Veera Maruthi Temple of Nandavar, as was popularly known in those days) was a powerful center of inspiration to the earliest Freedom Fighters of Dakshina Kannada.

Nandavar - A Part of Parashurama-kshetra

Since the days of yore Nandavar has been reputed for its several holy spots. The region is a part of Parashurama-kshetra, the Sacred Land of Sage Parashurama. (Parashurama-kshetra is the south-western coastal strip of splendid scenic beauty that extends from Kanyakumari, the Land's End of India, to the ancient shrine of Lord Shiva in Gokarna, renowned in the Puranas).

The Charming Landscape of Nandavar

A drive from Mangalore to Nandavar amidst the soothing scenic charm of the region permeated with the calm and fragrant atmosphere of Karnataka villages interspersed with holy shrines is itself a spiritual experience.

The sprawling Netravati River with rich green vegetation on the banks accords a warm welcome to the visitor to Nandavar. The several hillocks, the quietly flowing river, the majestic peak of Narahari Parvat with a shrine of Lord Shiva atop, all bestow an ethereal and mystifying sacredness to the landscape of Nandavar.

Hanuman in His Dynamic and Heroic Aspect

Here, in the holy shrine of Sri Hanuman, where generations after generations have been blessed with the Grace Divine, the valiant Messenger of Lord Rama is worshipped in a very dynamic and heroic aspect as Sri Veera Maruthi. The unique image of Sri Veera Maruthi in the shrine is a splendorous Source of spiritual power and as the devotee stands before the Presence he is filled with an overwhelming sense of strength and blessedness that passeth understanding.

"Kote Hanumantha" -- The Powerful Deity of Nandavar

The divine dynamism represented by the glorious figure of Sri Hanuman is vibrantly active in this inspiring idol of Sri Veera Maruthi carved out in high relief on jet black granite. His left hand holds a mace (gada) signifying the destruction of evil and his right palm shows the abhaya-mudra, assuring divine protection and blessing to the devotees with the fulfillment of their wishes, both temporal and spiritual. The tail of Sri Hanuman is so designed as to touch the top of His forehead and a bell is hung at the tip. People of the region love to call Him endearingly as "Kote Hanumantha" - Hanuman of the fort ("Kote" being "fort" in Kannada language, the appellation signifies the deity Hanuman installed in the temple situated in the Nandavar fort of the olden days).

Nanda rulers of yore had appointed competent persons to manage Sri Veera Maruthi Temple. Later, when the management of the day-to-day affairs of the temple became difficult due to various reasons, the local devotees volunteered to shoulder the responsibility and thus carried on, diligently and with all love and devotion, the management and the daily routine of the temple. These people took a wise decision to bring this temple to renewed glory. Sri Nandavar Kamalakanth Mallya, a devout businessman of Mangalore, was entrusted with this divine service. By the grace of the Divine, and with the unstinted support and patronage, guidance and goodwill, help and cooperation of the devotees and all those who are sympathetic to such causes, they have successfully executed the Renovation Plan, for reviving this temple as a resplendent center of spirituality for the welfare of the society. The temple authorities envision that this holy place of worship will soon become a focal point for religious and social welfare activities, supplemented by the proposed Spiritual Training Center for the aspirants of a noble living, who will prove to be a blessing to the society.

Temple Renovation and Development

As far back as about 50 years ago, with the help of Bantwal Sri Kashi Math, Sri Veera Maruthi Temple was partly renovated. Again, about six years ago (in 1996), as a result of the combined efforts of the local devotees, Naga Devata was reinstalled in a new shrine, in the temple precincts, and in 1997, Goddess Rakteshwari was similarly reinstalled. Later, a compound wall was also built to enclose the temple and to demarcate its property. These works could be taken up thanks to the munificent patronage received from the local community.

A Renovation Committee headed by the renowned social worker and the popular M.L.A. of Mangalore, Sri Nandavar Yogish Bhat, was formed, and a Master Plan was made for the speedy execution of the Temple Renovation and Development Project, and the temple was fully renovated recently.

Blessings for the Project

The Temple Renovation Committee initiated the work in right earnest, with the blessings of His Holiness Srimath Sudhindra Theertha Swamiji of the Kashi Math Samsthan. They also received encouragement, blessings and patronage from Swami Satchidanandaji, Head of Anandashram, Kanhangad, Kerala, where reverberates eternally the sweet melody of the Divine Name, Ram Nam, which is the life breath, as it were, of Sri Hanuman.

Thus hanks to the collective social initiative of the local people, coupled with their religious faith and devotion to God, the neglected ancient Heritage Center -- Sri Veera Maruthi Temple was renovated and restored to a better condition. It is also being equipped with the facilities and amenities for social welfare activities.