Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple

The Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple stands on a small island formed by the Nandini River, in the Mangaluru area of coastal Karnataka. It is one of the region's major pilgrimage centres, and its riverside setting, with thick vegetation and flowing water around the shrine, is a large part of its appeal.

The temple's origin story centres on Arunasura, a demon king who tormented gods and people alike. Answering the gods' pleas, Durga came to earth in the guise of a beautiful woman and killed him, and the shrine was raised where this is believed to have happened. The goddess is worshipped in the garbhagriha in her fierce, protective form, and wooden pillars and wall panels around it show scenes from her legends. Smaller shrines to other deities stand within the complex. Pilgrims also tell of a sannyasi who did penance here for the good of humankind, and of temple ponds whose water is thought to heal illness.