Uppin Ganapati Temple, also known as Vinayakar Temple is a wonderful place to visit on your vacation to Gokarna. It is dedicated to Lord Ganesha who is the presiding deity of this temple.
However, it is said that during the Vijayanagar Empire, Uppin Ganpati Temple was dedicated to Lord Shiva and the statue of Ganesha was brought from a neighbouring village of Kumta.
This renowned temple has a main hall and an arch that tourists can witness on their trip to Uppin Ganpati Temple. Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the Maha Ganapati Temple is situated on the east side of the popular Mahabaleshwar Temple. It is believed that the temple was constructed in awe of Lord Ganesha, who succeeded in taking the Atmalinga from Ravana. Lord Shiva then blessed Lord Ganesha with the honour of the first worship for any ritual or ceremony. The temple features a 1.3 m black stone idol of Lord Ganesha. Legend has it that one needs to first visit the Maha Ganapati Temple before visiting the Mahabaleshwar Temple.
Uppin Ganpati Temple or Vinayakar Temple was once dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a beautiful temple with a main hall and an arch with currently Lord Ganesha as a presiding deity. It is suggested that travellers should visit Uppin Ganapati Temple while on their trip to Kumta. Also known as Vinayakar Temple, it was originally devoted to Lord Shiva by the Vijayanagara ruler through a Ganesha statue which was brought here from a nearby village. This temple has a main hall and an arch.
Important Information about Uppin Ganapati Temple
Location: Uppin Ganapati, Kumta
How to Reach: Uppin Ganpati Temple is well-connected with good transportation services from various regions of Uttara Kannada. From Kinara stay, the Uppin Ganpati Temple is just 5 kms. Kumta is the nearest city from where you will get frequent buses to reach this holy place.
Best Time to visit: Tourists can visit the temple throughout the year.
Distance from Gokarna Bus Main Stand, Banglegudda: The distance between the two places is approximately 35 kilometres.
Places to Eat: There are few hotels you can find in Uppin Ganapati where you can taste the best food and local dishes at a reasonable price. When you are at Kumta, never miss to visit his temple and book your rooms at kinara stay for a comfortable holiday.
Introduction to Tamra Gouri Temple
Tamra Gouri Temple is hosted inside the Mahabaleshwar temple compound itself. The statue of Parvati holding flowers in devotion stands on the eastern side, behind the Athmalingam. The goddess is believed to have judged the significance of Gokarna versus Kashi (Varanasi) and the temple depicts this with an idol of her holding a balance. Since then, Gokarna is also referred to as south Kashi.
Amra Gauri Temple is nestled inside the complex of Mahabaleshwar Temple in Gokarna in the state of Karnataka. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Gauri or Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva. It lies on the rear side of the Mahabaleshwar Temple. The idol of the deity is in standing posture holding a flower in devotion on the eastern side behind the Atma Lingam of Lord Shiva. The deity is also holding a balance weighing holiness and piousness of Gokarna and Kashi or Varanasi as per legend.
There are other legends surrounding the Tamra Gauri temple. According to Hindu mythology, Devi Parvati or Gauri came to Gokarna in search of her husband, Lord Shiva. Wandering upon the Tamra Parvat or the Copper Mountain gave her the name ‘Tamra Gauri’.
There is a sacred pond opposite the Tamra Gauri Temple, known as Tamra Kund. It is believed that if ashes or ‘aasthi’ of a dead man is poured in the water of this ‘kund’, he stays in Heaven till the ashes remain in the pond. Once the ‘aasthi’ moved out of the pond and met the sea water, he took rebirth as King. The ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were poured in this pond. It is a must visit for the devotees who come to seek the blessing of the destroyer God Lord Shiva in the Mahabaleshwar Temple. Regular trains from all the major cities of Karnataka are available to reach Gokarna.
Description
Cited in the north of Mahabaleshwara Temple, Tamra Gouri Temple is dedicated to the goddess Parvati. The temple has an ornate entrance. Here the goddess is always decked up in beautifully pleated silk saree. According to the legend, the goddess emerged from Brahma’s hand like a river woman and alighted on Goshringa Hills. Then after years of meditation, she got married to Lord Shiva. Here, the two armed idols of Gouri hold a balance, about which it is said that she is weighing the greatness of Gokarna against Varanasi.
