Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple, Kateel
Kateel (Kateelu), on an islet in the Nandini river, Dakshina Kannada district · Goddess Durgaparameshwari, a self-manifested (udbhava) lingam form of Durga
The goddess who became a swarm of bees, on an island in the Nandini river – and the home of the Kateel Yakshagana melas.
The Durgaparameshwari temple at Kateel stands on a small island in the middle of the Nandini river, about 25 km north-east of Mangaluru near the airport. The goddess is worshipped as a self-manifested lingam form of Durga who, as Bhramari, destroyed the demon Arunasura in the form of a swarm of bees. Kateel is one of the most visited temples of coastal Karnataka, known for its free meals, its ritual-filled day ending in the lamp-lit Rangapooja, and above all for its Yakshagana troupes (melas), whose performances devotees sponsor as vows – so many that bookings run about 13 years ahead.
Timings
- Temple open: 5:30 AM – 9:30 PM (10:30 PM on Fridays) (official site)
- Mahapooja: 12:00 noon, and at night after the evening sevas
- Free meals: Morning 8:30 – 10:00 AM; afternoon 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM; night 8:30 – 10:00 PM
Darshan types and costs
- General darshan – Free
Sevas and costs
- Karthika Pooja – ₹20 (During darshan hours)
- Kumkumarchane – ₹50 (During darshan hours; also in the evening seva sequence)
- Durga Namaskara – ₹140 (Evening, after the 7 PM Pradosha Pooja)
- Hoovina Pooja (flower pooja) – ₹200 (Evening seva sequence)
- Panchamritha Abhisheka – ₹140 (Morning)
- Alankara Pooja – ₹230 (Evening seva sequence)
- Maha Pooja – ₹450 (Noon or night Mahapooja)
- Sarva Seva – ₹2,000 (Through the day)
- Rangapooja – ₹6,000 (8:00 PM)
- Chandika Homa – ₹1,501 kanike (materials and other costs separate) (On a date fixed with the office)
- Golden Chariot Utsav – ₹15,000 (Silver Chariot Utsav kanike ₹1,501) (As available)
- Yakshagana harake seva (vow performance) – Check with the temple (not listed on the seva page) (Yakshagana season, roughly December to May)
- Annadana Seva – ₹2,500 and above (Mahaannadana ₹20,000 and above) (Any day)
How to book darshan
Many daily sevas (Karthi Pooja, Hoovina Pooja, Durga Namaskara, Srisookthabhisheka, Pancha Kajjaya, Annadana) can be booked on the temple's official site under E-Sevas; others at the seva counter or office.
Kateel temple official site (E-Sevas)
Dress code
Modest traditional dress. Check at the entrance for any local rule on men's upper garments.
Best time to visit
November to March, when the weather is dry and the Yakshagana season is on. Navaratri (Sep–Oct) and the annual jatra around Mesha Sankramana (mid-April) are the big festivals.
How to reach
- air: Mangaluru International Airport is about 16 km away.
- rail: Mangaluru railway stations are about 19–25 km away.
- road: About 25 km from Mangaluru via Bajpe; regular buses from Mangaluru, and connections to Udupi (~40 km), Mulki and Kinnigoli.
Festivals
- Annual Jatra Mahotsava – About eight days around Mesha Sankramana (mid-April)
- Navaratri – Sep – Oct (2026: invitation published on the official site)
- Laksha Deepotsava – Kartika Bahula Panchami (Nov – Dec)
- Yakshagana season – Nov/Dec – May