Udupi: Devotees Throng Kaup Temple to Offer Suggi Mari Puja

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (GA/AF)
Pics: RK Durga Digitals

Udupi, Mar 26: Tulunadu is known for its rich traditions and culture which are unique to this part of the country. The devotion to Goddess Mari is one of the oldest of these traditions. This devotion to Goddess Mari dates back to the 16th century.

The well-known Suggi (harvesting season) mari puja of Kaup Temple was held on Tuesday March 25. The holy rituals at 'Hale Marigudi (Old Mari Temple), Hosa Marigudi (New Mari Temple) and Kalya Marigudi (Kalya Mari Temple) were held with devotion with devotees thronging in large numbers from all over the undivided district of Dakshina Kannada.

Goddess Marai or Mari is regarded as 'Kapuda Appe' (Mother of Kaup). Kaup houses three Mari temples. The temple at Pallipadpu is recocognized as old Marigudi. Earlier, people, irrespective of their caste and religion, were worshipping the goddess. But a dispute came between the Gowda Saraswath Brahmin families and other devotes regarding the management of the Temple. Finally, the judgment came in favour of the GSBs. So the devotees constructed separate temple in 1830. Chief of the Kaup Beedu generously donated land for constructing new Marigudi.

Kaup Mari puja is one of the seven rituals of the undivided Dakshina Kannada district. The other six are - Udupi Paryaya, Bappanadu Dolu, Arasara Kambala, Kavatha Ayana, Dharmastala Deepotsava and Padubidri Dhakkebali.

Mari puja is being offered thrice in a year. However, the Suggi Mari puja in the month of March is more important than the other two viz Aati Maripooja in the month of July/August and Jarde Maripooja in the month of November/December.