Sri Kalakama Parashurama Temple, Mala

      Sri Kalakama Parashurama Temple is yet another landmark at Mala, a picturesque hamlet nestled in the foothills of the Western Ghats. The original shrine, said to belong to the seventeenth century, has been renovated and developed by the devotees whenever there arose a need. 

 

     Lord Parashurama, here, is  worshipped by the Chitpavan Brahmin community which has made Mala its home upon migration from Maharashtra.  It may be noted that Chitpavan Brahmin community is settled in other parts of the undivided Dakshina Kannada district too. 

     The temple has a distinct construction style, unlike the worshipping centres of Tulunadu.  The colourful motifs on the ceiling and paints in vibrant hues lend it a Maharashtrian influence.  What makes the temple further unique is the absence of a separate teerthamantapa and dhwajasthambha, hallmarks of the temples in the coastal belt. 

 

     The steep incline in front of the temple is beautifully landscaped with a long flight of stairs and a small tank at the bottom.  The temple has a hall and a rangamantapa, providing a venue for the social gathering and also, perhaps, to showcase the talent of the culturally rich community. 

                          

      Lakshadeepotsava on the full moon day of the lunar month of Karthika marks the annual festival of the temple.  

     The divinity apart, the serene atmosphere around infuses a kind of tranquility among spiritual seekers and nature seekers alike.  A perfect spot to unwind.