Shri Venkataramana Swami Devastana is located at Someshwara, a small and peaceful village in the Nadpalu region of Karkala Taluk, Udupi District, Karnataka. The temple lies at the foothills of the Western Ghats and is surrounded by dense greenery, hills, and a calm natural atmosphere.
This is an ancient temple believed to be more than five centuries old, with traditional references suggesting an age of around six to seven hundred years. The temple has been continuously worshipped for generations and has stood strong through time due to the faith and dedication of the Gowda Saraswat Brahmin community and devotees from surrounding regions.
The presiding deity of the temple is Shri Veera Vittala, also worshipped as Shri Venkataramana Swami, along with His consorts Rukmini Devi and Satyabhama Devi. The temple also houses Utsava Murthis of Shri Venkataramana with Shri Devi and Bhoo Devi, and Kodanda Rama with Seeta Devi and Lakshmana. Other deities worshipped in the temple complex include Kaliya Mardana Krishna, Navaneetha Krishna, Srinivasa with consorts, Lakshmi Narayana, Mahaganapati, and Goddess Mahalakshmi or Mookambika. All worship is performed strictly according to Vaishnava traditions under the guidance of Shri Kashi Math Samsthan.
Shri Venkataramana Swami Devastana is widely known as a famous Eight Pate temple. This means the temple is spiritually and traditionally supported by devotees from eight sacred regions or Pates. These include Someshwara, Hebri, Kudka, Kajje, Muddur, Agumbe, Santekatte, and nearby areas. This unique system represents unity, collective devotion, and shared responsibility among devotees across different villages.
The temple follows traditional coastal Karnataka temple architecture, emphasizing simplicity and spiritual focus rather than grandeur. The complex includes the main sanctum, pradakshina path, shrines for associated deities, a sacred temple pond, Navagraha Vana, and halls for religious and community functions. The entire structure blends naturally with the surrounding hills and greenery, enhancing the temple’s spiritual atmosphere.
From ancient times, the temple has been under the spiritual guidance of Shri Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi. Although Someshwara village itself has only a small number of Gowda Saraswat Brahmin families, devotees from all eight Pates have continuously supported the temple’s worship, administration, and development. With the blessings of the Kashi Mathadhipathi Swamijis, the temple has grown into a strong spiritual center and continues to function with discipline, devotion, and harmony.
According to long-standing belief, Shri Venkataramana Swami chose Someshwara as his sacred abode to protect and guide his devotees living in the Western Ghats region. In ancient times, sages and devotees were believed to have performed deep meditation and penance in this forested area. Pleased with their devotion, Lord Vishnu manifested here as Shri Venkataramana, radiating compassion and divine grace. A popular belief among devotees says, “Ammagelo Venkataramanu Sonu Ghalna,” meaning that the Lord protects his devotees like a mother protects her child. It is believed that even sitting silently in meditation at this temple removes fear, stress, and worries, and that sincere prayers related to health, family, and difficulties are fulfilled by the Lord’s grace.
Opposite the main Shri Venkataramana Swami shrine stands the Shri Veera Maruti Temple. This Hanuman shrine was originally established in the year 1922, with the idol brought from Someshwara Kote. In recent years, the temple has been rebuilt as a Shilamaya (stone) structure.
The temple celebrates various festivals with devotion and simplicity. Important festivals include Prathishta Vardhanti, marking the temple’s consecration anniversary, and Karthika Punnav (Kartik Purnima), along with Ekadashi and other Vaishnava festivals. These celebrations focus on prayer, bhajans, and collective devotion rather than grand displays, strengthening spiritual bonds among devotees.
