calicut

Sree Panduranga Mandir, Sri Sukratendra Kalamandir, Kamath Lane, Near Railway Station, Calicut was inaugurated on 4th May 1969. The Vittobha Rukmi idol made from Krishnashila by the famous sculptor Gopal Shenoy was consecrated by Srimat Sudheendra Tirtha Swamiji of Kashi Mutt.

Morning and Rathri Poojas are being performed regularly in the temple. Every year the Prathista Divas and the Ashada Ekadhashi Divas are celebrated in the Mandir. Other celebrations are Yugadi, Rama Navami, Sree Krishna Jayanthi, Navarathri and Deepavali.

Adjacent to the Mandir is the Shree Sukratheendra Kalamandir which has a Marriage Hall, rest rooms and a retreat for Swamiji. The Samoohya Sathya Narayana Pooja conducted in Shravana month by the Samaj members in the Kalamandir is very popular. The Kalamandir and the Panduranga temple are owned by Panduranga Trust founded in 1942 AD.

Deity
Shree Vittoba Rukmai idols

The Sukratheendra Kalamandir is located in the heart of the town about 500m from the Calicut railway station.

In the 16^th century some Konkani families reached the Malabar Coast from the Konkan and settled in Calicut. As time passed GSBs grown as a trading community. Many Konkanis from other parts of Kerala migrated to Calicut, realizing its rich potential as a centre of world trade.

As the GSB community grew, the members, who believed in temple culture, felt the need of a temple. On 1 Oct 1942 the Panduranga trust was founded by the son of Sri Hari Naik, a lanthropist and a respectable figure among the bullion dealers. Under the auspices of this trust, Sri Venketesh Naik constructed a small Mandir adjacent to Shree Sukratheendra Kalamandir, a building owned by Sri H. Venketesh Naik, and made Prathista of Shree Vittobha Rukmai idol in 1969. This came to be known as Shree Panduranga Mandir. The Silver Jubilee was celebrated in 1994.

Vittoba is a form of Krishna. The Vithoba-Rukmini are the Divine couple. Of Krishna's eight wives, Rukmini is considered to be his most favourite and beloved because of her satvic character and her devotion to Him. The story of Rukimini's marriage to Lord Krishna is a very interesting love story. Rukmini's father, the king of Vidarbha, decided to give away Rukmini in marriage to Shishupala, the king of Chedi. Her brother also consented to the marriage and the wedding preparations were in full force. Rukmini, however was in love with Krishna even from her younger age because she heard so much of His virtues. So to escape her pre-arranged marriage to Shishupala, she sent one of her confidants to Krishna with a message. Krishna along with Balarama came down to Vidarbha and took away Rukmini in a chariot and killed Shishupala in the battle followed. On reaching Dwaraka He married Rukmini.

One day it so happened that Lord Krishna, while feeling lonely, was reminded of his early days in Mathura. He particularly remembered his his love, Radha. Though she was dead, he longed to see her again. By his divine powers he brought her back to life and seated her by his side. Just then his queen, Rukmini, entered the room. When Radha did not rise to pay her respect, Rukmini left Dwarka in anger and hid herself in Dandirvan forest.

Lord Krishna set off in search of Rukmini. He first went to Mathura, then to Gokul. The milkmaids and cowherd boys also joined in the search. They went to Mount Govardhan in her search. They reached the banks of the river Bhima in the Deccan. Krishna justify his companions at Goplapura, and he entered Dandirvan forest alone in search of her. At last he found her and managed to calm her.

Krishna and Rukmini came to Pundalik's ashrama. But at that time Pundalik was busy attending to his parents. Though he knew Lord Krishna had come to see him, he refused to pay his respect to the god before his duty towards his parents was done. He, however, threw a brick outside for lord Krishna to stand upon. Impressed by Pundalik's devotion to his parents, Lord Krishna did not mind the delay. Standing on the brick he waited for Pundalik. When Pundalik came out and begged God's pardon, Lord Krishna replied that far from being displeased, he was pleased with his love for his parents.

Lord Krishna then ordered His worship on Vithoba, or God who stood upon a brick. An imposing temple was built at the place (Pandharpur in Maharastra) where Krishna and Pundalik had met. Inside the temple stands Krishna's image on a brick with image of Rukmini on his side.