Mandarthi is a holy place for Hindus, Shakthi devi, Durgaparameshwari is being worshipped here. The temple is ancient, with a huge “Gopura”, and a “Dwajastambha “ in front of the temple. There is a small lake called Nagateertha is just next to the temple. Durgaparameshwari is been praised as Naga Sundari, as she is said to be one of Nagakanya “Mandarathi”. Daily “Annadana” happens here for all the devotees visiting the place. Mandarthi Yakshagana Dashavathara Mela is one of the famous Yakshagana troupe with many experiences artists serving, and upholding the traditional folk art. Devotees host Yakshagana at their house, as a symbol of thanks to god for all the good things they are blessed with. You don’t believe me if I say that with 4 troupes this Yakshagana is being booked for few years from now. I myself have a booking, which is supposed to come soon in few years.The Sthala Purana has woven these religious 
perceptions and notions into a legend according to which five naga kanyas (serpent maidens) by name Devarathi, Nagarathi Charurathi Mandarthi and Neelarathi are cursed by Nandi to remain unmarried and to suffer in a forest fire. Subsequently a rash behaviour on their part subjects them to anthor curse by a sage called Vyagrapada that they would be entangled in a bamboo grove. Their prayers to siva and parvati against these curses are answered in the form of a saviour called Devavarma the king of Avanthi who rescues the serpents from a blazing fire using a bamboo basket. He later releases these maidens into places of their choice and while the first three serpents crawl back into their pits, Mandarthi is deified acquiring fame day by day. Devavarma marries Jalajakshi who is coveted by mahisa, born of malini a Kirata girl and Vyagrapada Risi. 
The demon chases Jalajakshi to the palace; a battle ensues between him and the king in which huge snake pits swallow all the arrows of Mahisa. At the behest of Risis, the prays to Devi and she ultimately kills the demon with the help of virabhadra, Hayguli,kalkuda and bobbarya. In doing so, she also calls upon chamundi to kill all the rakshasas and Vyagresvari to kill giants hidden in animal bodies. This legend accounts for the shrines of hayguli, kalkuda, bobbarya and Chamundi around the sanctum of Durga Paramesvari as her parivara Devathas.
Every year on the day of Kumbha Sankramana the car fest is held at the place, mostly will be on the second week of February, around 13th. It is a three day programme, on the first day is "kenda seve" and second day is the car fest and other rituals near the temple, and on the third day is Deepostava, Yakshagana Seve by all four troups will be held at the temple on that day night after 11pm.
perceptions and notions into a legend according to which five naga kanyas (serpent maidens) by name Devarathi, Nagarathi Charurathi Mandarthi and Neelarathi are cursed by Nandi to remain unmarried and to suffer in a forest fire. Subsequently a rash behaviour on their part subjects them to anthor curse by a sage called Vyagrapada that they would be entangled in a bamboo grove. Their prayers to siva and parvati against these curses are answered in the form of a saviour called Devavarma the king of Avanthi who rescues the serpents from a blazing fire using a bamboo basket. He later releases these maidens into places of their choice and while the first three serpents crawl back into their pits, Mandarthi is deified acquiring fame day by day. Devavarma marries Jalajakshi who is coveted by mahisa, born of malini a Kirata girl and Vyagrapada Risi. 
The demon chases Jalajakshi to the palace; a battle ensues between him and the king in which huge snake pits swallow all the arrows of Mahisa. At the behest of Risis, the prays to Devi and she ultimately kills the demon with the help of virabhadra, Hayguli,kalkuda and bobbarya. In doing so, she also calls upon chamundi to kill all the rakshasas and Vyagresvari to kill giants hidden in animal bodies. This legend accounts for the shrines of hayguli, kalkuda, bobbarya and Chamundi around the sanctum of Durga Paramesvari as her parivara Devathas.Every year on the day of Kumbha Sankramana the car fest is held at the place, mostly will be on the second week of February, around 13th. It is a three day programme, on the first day is "kenda seve" and second day is the car fest and other rituals near the temple, and on the third day is Deepostava, Yakshagana Seve by all four troups will be held at the temple on that day night after 11pm.
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