Palimaru is a small village very close to Udupi. This village is the headquarters of the Palimaru Matha, one of the 8 mathas founded by Sri Madhvacharya. The first pontiff of this matha was Sri Hrishikesha Theertha, who was a direct disciple of Srimadacharya. The current pontiff is Sri Sri Vidyadheesha Theertha Swamiji.
The moola devaru of the Matha is “Sita Lakshmana Sahita Sri Rama”. Since the Swamiji was not in Palimaru when I visited the place, we could not get to see the main idols. The Garbha Gudi was also locked. But the matha itself is amazing. It is as if one has gone back 800 years into history. The matha and the temple is built in typical Dakshina Kannada style.
Another main attraction of the matha is the Mukhya Prana or Anjaneya temple. It is situated right behind the main temple. This temple was constructed a few years back and is very well known in Dakshina Kannada already. People call it the temple of the “Mathanaduva Anjaneya” or “Talking Hanuman”. Countless devotees have had their wishes fullfilled here after sincere prayers. The small temple is very beautiful to look at and the idol itself is very attractive. This temple is one of my favorites in Dakshina Kannada.
Another of the glorious attractions of the temple is the Brundavana of Sri Sri Vidya Manya Theertha Swamiji, the previous pontiff of the Palimaru Matha. He was one of the greatest Yatis of the 20th century and the Guru of several Dvaita scholars and pontiffs such as Sri Sri Vishvesha Tirtha Swamiji of the Pejavara Matha and Sri Sri Vishva Priya Theertha Swamiji of the Adamaru Matha. I call Sri Sri Vidya Manya Theertha the Raghavendra Swamiji of the 20th century.
Right behind the Anjaneya Garbha Gudi is located the Brundavanas of several past pontiffs of the Palimaru Matha. Some other brundavanas are located to the southern side of the temple. There is a board put up there which gives details of the Swamijis whose brundavanas are located at this matha. The earliest brundavana was from the 1300s!
The matha also has a beautiful Pushkarani with crystal clear water. Right behind the matha flows the Shambhavi river. There is a mini-bridge-cum-dam built over the river there. The sceneries around the river are breath-taking.
Name: Sri Palimaru Matha
Location: Palimaru, Padubidri, Udupi District
Main deities: Sri Rama, Mukhya Prana
Address: Sri Palimaru Matha, Near Padubidri, Udupi District
How to get there: On the Udupi Mangalore highway, turn towards Nitte/Karkala at Padubidri junction. Travel 4-5 kms to reach a junction called Adve. Turn right here and travel about 3-4 kms to reach Palimaru matha.
Other specialities: There is also a very ancient Shiva temple located at Palimaru village. In the Anjaneya temple, the priests perform Vayu Stuti Purascharane to the main idol based on our request. A lot of people come here and get the Purascharane done. It is considered very auspicious.
Best time to visit: All through the year
More photos can be found here.
The matha now has a very informative website of their own. Click here.
Anandatirtha Prathishtana 
These temples are simply AMAZING. I get a strong nostalgic feeling just by viewing these photo’s. I feel so connected to these tulu nadu temples. I feel like living there. Its so close to nature, i just dont have words to comment because these places touches me deep inside my heart. I will visit someday there.
hari anna, can you pls add me in your email? my email is info@fourthplane.com and i want to talk to you about visiting the temples in tulunadu.
Namaskara Sri Gururaj,
Yes indeed! Almost every temple in Tulu Nadu is at least several hundred years old. And you will not find a temple which does not have at least one “interesting” story/myth/legend/folklore associated with it. I am sure you will enjoy visiting them. If you are serious about visiting them, please write to me at nharipra at gmail dot com and I will provide whatever help I can.
Regards, Hari
It is really an exciting experience to see so many places where Madhvacharya stepped and sanctified and preserved by public without govt. help. i wanted to see the photigraphs of brindavanams of trivikrama and Narayana Panditacharyaru, as I learn they took Sanyaasa in their old age. anyway, thank you.
It is really an exciting experience to see so many places where Madhvacharya stepped and sanctified and preserved by public without govt. help. i wanted to see the photigraphs of brindavanams of trivikrama and Narayana Panditacharyaru, as I learn they took Sanyaasa in their old age. anyway, thank you. i WISH LET YOUR TRIBE INCREASE TO MAKE US KNOWN ABOUT UNKNOWN PLACES OF OUR ADI GURU SRI mADHVACHARYA.