About Sri Marlu Chikku Daivasthanam

Chikku and Maralu Chikku Daivasthana, believed to be the ancient abode and original seat of Chikku Daiva. The shrine is said to have a history stretching back thousands of years and is associated with eleven different forms of Chikku Daiva.

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But centuries ago, nature changed the course of its history. A massive flood in the Varahi River submerged the shrine, eventually destroying it. Devotees who continued to place their faith in Chikku Daiva then established shrines at different locations, carrying the tradition and worship with them.

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But the story of the original deity did not end there. One of the wooden idols from the submerged shrine was carried away by the waters and eventually found in the riverine region between Kundapura and Gangolli by members of the Karvi community. Unaware of its sacred origin, they believed it was nothing more than an ordinary piece of wood. They broke it into pieces and used the wood for their everyday needs.

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Soon after, the community began to suffer severe losses in their fishing activities. Searching for the reason behind their misfortune, they eventually came to believe that the problem was connected to the sacred wooden idol they had unknowingly mishandled. They realized that what they had treated as an ordinary piece of wood was, according to their belief, connected to Chikku Daiva of Haladi.

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From that moment, their relationship with the deity changed forever. The Karvi community began worshipping the Adimaralu Chikku and Maralu Chikku Daivasthana with deep faith and devotion. And even today, seeking prosperity and success in their fishing livelihoods, devotees continue a unique tradition during the annual festival—offering fish for sale as part of their vow to the deity.

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The shrine also holds a special place in the traditional worship practices of the region. It is regarded as one of the important centres associated with Gendaseva, particularly among the shrines where Maralu Chikku is the principal deity. References to the presence of Chikku Daiva can also be found in traditional Pardanas, the oral devotional narratives of coastal Karnataka.

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The traditions of the shrine continue throughout the year. Every month, during the Tingodu Pooja, devotees also organize Annadana, offering food to those who visit the shrine. And the cultural heritage of Haladi extends beyond the Daivasthana. The region is also associated with the renowned Haladi Yakshagana Mela, carrying forward another important performing tradition of coastal Karnataka.

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From an ancient shrine lost to the waters of the Varahi, to a sacred wooden idol carried away by the river, and a community that eventually discovered its spiritual connection with the deity, the story of Adimaralu Chikku Daiva is not just the story of a shrine. It is a story of faith, tradition, nature, and the deep cultural roots of coastal Karnataka.

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