Shri Venkataramana Temple - Karkala
🖼️ Photo Gallery
🛕 Temple Info
Nestled in the spiritual heart of Karkala, the Sri Venkatramana Temple stands as a beacon of devotion and cultural legacy for over 550 years. Revered by the Gowda Saraswath Brahmin (GSB) community, this divine temple is affectionately known as ‘Padu Tirupati’ — meaning Tirupati of the West. Mirroring the grandeur and rituals of Tirumala, it evokes unwavering devotion and spiritual fulfilment.
🙏 Deity and Divine Experience
- Presiding Deity (Pattada Devaru): Lord Sri Srinivasa – Known as ‘Chappara Srinivasa’
- Utsava Murthy: Sri Venkatramana – Known as ‘Bhakta Vatsala’, fulfiller of wishes
- Ritual Style: Aligned with Tirumala traditions, including Golden Mandapa Seva, Gold and Silver Vahanas, and Kanika offerings to Tirupati
The temple radiates the same spiritual aura as Tirupati, earning the rightful name ‘Padu Tirupati’.
🎉 Festivals and Rituals
- Vanabhojana Utsava – Grand outdoor procession once a year to the east
- Kanika Yatra to Tirupati – Ritual offering taken by pilgrims called Rama Dandu
- Daily Poojas – Performed in the traditional Vaikhanasa Agama style
- Special Sevas – Alankarotsava, Sahasranamarchana, and Golden Palanquin Utsava
- Past Yatras – 5 major yatras have been conducted, the last being in 1970
🌸 MyTempleMyPride Reflections
Sri Venkatramana of Karkala is not just a deity but a living divine presence — fulfilling, guiding, and protecting his devotees through generations. With its rich history, deep-rooted community service, and heavenly rituals, Padu Tirupati continues to shine as a spiritual jewel of coastal Karnataka.
Come, bow your head in faith, whisper your prayers in the Garuda Mantapa, and feel the grace of Amgelo Devu — Our Lord, Sri Venkatramana.
💫 Importance
For the devotees of Lord Srinivasa, this temple is more than a place of worship — it is "Amgelo Devu" (Our God). Belief holds that prayers offered within the sacred Garuda Mantapa are answered with divine grace. The temple is not only a religious hub but also a cultural and philanthropic center, having initiated women’s education over a century ago, and supporting institutions like Sri Bhuvanendra College, Shree Venkataramana Goshala Trust, and Super Specialty Hospitals.
Its spiritual practices, community service, and commitment to Dharma make this temple a vibrant kshetra of divinity and upliftment.
📜History
The story of Sri Venkatramana Temple traces back to the 15th century, when Soma Sharma, a Vasishta gotriya Saraswath Brahmin, migrated from Goa and brought with him an idol of Lord Srinivasa. With support from the Sohire Prabhu family and the local community, the temple was established in 1450 A.D., with records indicating a reinstallation ceremony in 1537 A.D.
During an invasion in the early 1500s, temple priests safeguarded sacred idols and possessions by casting them into a well near Mulki. Although most were recovered, the main idol was found and installed at Shree Veera Vittala Temple, Mulki. Accepting divine will, the people of Karkala were later blessed by a Tirupati hermit, who gifted them a new idol of Lord Venkatramana — in which the Lord had enshrined Himself. This idol continues to be worshipped today.
In reverence to that divine vow, the temple conducts an annual symbolic pilgrimage called “Vanabhojana Utsava”, where the Lord is taken eastward — symbolically toward Tirupati — fulfilling the saint’s condition. This sacred event continues to this day as a testimony to divine tradition.
🪔 Pooja Timings
| Schedule Timing | |
| Morning Darshan | 6:30 AM – 1:00 PM |
| Evening Darshan | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM |
🚌 Transfort Options
✈️ By Air:
- Nearest Airport: Mangaluru International Airport – 50 km
🚆 By Train:
- Nearest Railway Stations:
- Udupi – 36 km
- Mangaluru Junction – 50 km
🛣️ By Road:
- Well-connected via NH-66 and NH-169
- From Mangaluru – 50 km
- From Udupi – 36 km
- From Bengaluru – 360 km
- Regular KSRTC buses and taxis available
🏙️Near By Cities
Udupi
Mangaluru
Bhatkal
Dharmasthala
Kukke
🗣️ Devotee Comments