Mekekattu Nandikeshwara Temple

Mekekattu Nandikeshwara Temple is situated around 20 kilometers from Kundapura town in Karnataka.Mekekattu Nandikeshwara Temple lies in the limits of Udupi taluk, situated in a remote place near Saibra katte. The place is very close to Barkur in Shirya village.

Believed to be over 1000 years old, the main deity of the temple is Nandi (Bull), which is the vehicle of Lord Shiva. Another important deity is Goddess Durga (Ammanavaru), seen with 4 hands, riding a 5 faced bull (instead of lion).With the unique style of wood carving and painting and the huge collection of mysterious wooden dolls, Nandikeshwara temple has earned its own importance in the locality.

A remarkable aspect of the Mekekattu Nandikeshwara Temple is its extensive collection of colorful wooden idols, many standing up to 10 feet tall. These idols are crafted from Halasina Mara (Jackfruit tree wood), abundant in nearby forests. Primarily depicted in warrior attire, these statues seem to commemorate a historical battle, speculated to have occurred between 1600-1700 A.D. during either the Moghul or Bahamani invasions, although no concrete evidence are available.
The idols, vibrant and towering, are periodically restored; the last restoration occurred in 1970, followed by a repaint in 2007. Of the 365 temples originally surrounding Barkur, only five remain active, with the rest having succumbed to ruin. Some statues even replicate ancient weaponry, poised as if ready for combat, and each bears a local legendary name.

The temple has 156 wooden idols that are worshipped daily. In the absence of any historical proof, many believe that the idols represents Lord Shiva’s Ganas(Army).

Mythology

The temple is associated with two main legends. The first involves sage Parashurama, who summoned rain through a Yajna conducted by sage Agasthya during a severe drought. During this ritual, a demon named Asurakumbha disrupted the proceedings, until Bheema intervened and eliminated the threat with a sword bestowed by Lord Ganesha.

The second legend revolves around the Allupas Dynasty, which ruled portions of coastal Karnataka from 450-1400 C.E. Initially sovereign, they later became vassals to several dominant dynasties, including the Kadambas and the Vijaynagara Rayas. According to local lore, a king from this dynasty, seeking to fend off an attack, enlisted the aid of a sage from Jambur. In response, Lord Shiva dispatched his forces, led by Nandi, to vanquish the invaders, after which the grateful king erected the temple to honor Shiva’s army.

The temple draws significant crowds during the Sankranti festival, particularly for its annual events, Hasara and Sedi.