Bappanad Durgaparameshwari Temple
The Bappanad Durgaparameshwari Temple is a sanctuary on the edge of the Shambhavi River in Bappanadu village, about 29 kilometers north of Mangalore. The site features simple architecture with stone pillars and a central shrine where Goddess Durgaparameshwari is worshipped, surrounded by smaller shrines and offering spaces.
According to local legend, a divine voice asked merchant Bappa Beary to build a temple after his boat stopped in the river. With help from a local Jain ruler, Beary constructed the temple, which became a venerated place and gave the village its name.
The name Bappanadu comes from the merchant Bappa Beary, whose boat stopped in the river before he built this temple. Today, people of different faiths gather here to pray and celebrate, with local flower sellers dedicating their blossoms to the goddess and shared meals welcoming everyone regardless of religion.
From Mangalore, you can reach the temple easily by bus or car in about an hour via the main Udupi highway. The site is especially busy during the Brahma Rathotsava festival in April, when processions and traditional drum beating fill the grounds.
The famous Bappanadu Dolu, a large drum, is played only during festival season and its deep beating echoes across the region. Young people from the community learn responsibility and discipline through participating in the drumming, keeping the tradition alive across generations.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
