Southadka

Southadka is a pilgrimage centre in Dakshina Kannada district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located 3 km from Kokkada in Belthangady Taluk.

Lord Maha Ganapathi is in an open field without a Garbha gudi and temple structure. It is surrounded by greenery and always open for prayers.

Festivals
The Mahapuja is performed in the month of January. The temple serves food (prasadam) to devotees.

Culture
Popularly known as Maha Ganapati Kshetra, Southadka in Belthangandy taluk of Dakshina Kannada district is one of the district's many siddhi kshetras of the district.

Site
In front of the idol are rows of brass bells tied to wooden beams for devotees to sound them during the pooja. A temple is decorated with bells offered by worshippers who have special wishes. Many monkeys are inside the temple. The temple sits on the banks of Netravati River.

A goshala (cow shed), a row of shops vending pooja materials, a small temple office where seva tickets and prasada can be bought and a modest temple kitchen serving naivedya prasada is all that Southadka houses. The idol of Lord Ganesha, is installed under the bowers of an ancient tree. An arch surrounds the idol in black stone lit by brass lamps.

Etymology
In Tulu, sowthe means 'cucumber' and adka means 'field'. Local cowherds grew cucumber and offered it to Lord Ganapathi during worship. Hence, this place gets the name as Southadka.

History
According to the sthala purana of Southadka, a Ganapati temple revered by a royal family was destroyed there by enemies. Cowherds carried it away and installed it in a place where cucumber was grown. Since southe means cucumber and adka means meadow in Tulu, the place soon gained popularity as Southadka. Local farmers wished to build a temple there. But, according to a popular belief, Ganapati graced their dreams and asked them not to build a temple for him at Southadka as that would restrict devotees visiting the place to seek his blessings. The Lord expressed his wish to remain in open air with no formal structure surrounding him.

According to temple authorities, of the many sevas offered at the temple, the most popular one is the avalakki panchakajjaya seva (a delicious mixture of beaten rice, jaggery, til (sesame), coconut, honey and banana) performed on a regular basis.