Alevoor Vishnumurthy Temple Karnataka
Alevoor Vishnumurthy Temple is located in Moodu Alevoor, a serene village about 8 km from Udupi town, Karnataka.The presiding deity is Lord Vishnumurthy, a fierce yet protective form of Lord Vishnu. He is worshipped here in a unique form, believed to remove obstacles, cure diseases, and protect devotees from negative influences.
The idol discovered near Alevoor is dated to around the 12th century, beautifully carved with ornaments like Karanda Mukuta (crown), Makara Kundala (ear ornaments), and Kaustubha Mala (divine garland). Devotees strongly believe that sincere prayers at this temple bring relief from problems and peace of mind.
Architecture
The temple is built in stone style architecture, typical of coastal Karnataka.The garbhagriha (sanctum) houses the Vishnumurthy idol.The temple has stone walls, wooden roofing, and tiled structures, a mix of ancient and later-day coastal construction. Nearby, ancient stone inscriptions and remnants of old shrines have been found, proving the temple’s antiquity.The carvings and sculpture reflect the Alupa dynasty influence, who once ruled coastal Karnataka.
History
Archaeological findings and inscriptions suggest that the temple is over 1000 years old, with its origins going back to the 12th–14th century.
A stone inscription with 19 lines found near the temple shows images of Shivalinga, Nandi, Surya, Chandra, and other symbols. This proves that the temple might have been originally a Shaiva shrine.
Later, it was transformed into a Vishnumurthy temple during the Alupa dynasty’s rule in Udupi.
Over time, the temple became a spiritual center for the surrounding villages and continues to be a vibrant place of worship.
Sthalapurana
Long ago, the region of Alevoor village near Udupi was said to be disturbed by evil spirits, diseases, and misfortunes. People of the village suffered from repeated difficulties—crops failed, families faced unrest, and strange occurrences troubled daily life. The villagers, helpless and afraid, prayed for divine intervention.
Moved by their prayers, Lord Vishnu himself is believed to have taken the fierce form of Vishnumurthy and arrived at Alevoor. This form is not the gentle Vishnu of Vaikuntha but a protective and powerful deity who comes down to Earth to fight against negative energies and protect devotees.
The legend says that Vishnumurthy fought and destroyed the evil forces troubling the villagers and restored peace to the land. After this victory, the Lord chose to remain in Alevoor in a stone form, blessing devotees and protecting them from all kinds of dangers.
Over the centuries, devotees experienced miracles—people suffering from illness recovered, those affected by black magic or curses found relief, and farmers saw prosperity in their fields. Because of these experiences, faith in Vishnumurthy grew very strong, and the temple became a center of protection and divine justice.
Another belief says that when certain families in Tulunadu region faced ancestral curses or family misfortunes, they would come to Vishnumurthy temples (like Alevoor, Katil, and others). By performing bali rituals, sevas, and offering prayers, the negative forces were pacified and harmony returned to their homes.
Festivals
At Alevoor Vishnumurthy Temple, festivals and rituals are celebrated with great devotion. The grand Annual Jatra or Rathotsava is the highlight, when the deity is taken out in a majestic chariot procession. On Nagara Panchami, special poojas are performed for protection from snakes and evil spirits. Powerful rituals like Chandika Homa and Bali are conducted to remove negativity and ensure harmony in the community. Every day, morning and evening poojas are offered with chanting and naivedya. Devotees also take part in sevas such as Tulabharam, Annadana, and special poojas, offering them as thanksgiving or to fulfill their vows.
