Shree Ganga Mata Temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated to the north of Shree Kshetra Gokarna, Gangavali is in Kumta, UK District, Karnataka State in India. History of the Shri Kshetra; As already expressed in Sthala Puranam Shree kshetra Gangavali is the Northern most boundary of Shree Kshetra Gokarna.On Ashvija Krishna Saptami day Lord Mahabaleshwara bedecked with all ornaments sets out in t
he palanquin after the last ritual of the day- after 11.30PM.It first goes to Shree Mahaganapati temple.There is a custom, whenever Lord sets out for a journey a mangalarathi is offered to lord Mahaganapati and a prayer is also offered before leaving for a savari.The palanquin moves along the seabeach through Gubbansasi.Devotees throng in large numbers to have Lord's Darshan,offer sevas and pray for their wellbeings. It is a fest to the eyes. The palanquin reached Gangekolla where the lord rests on the established peetham. Archakas offer Ashthavadhana seva. Early morning the Utsav morrthy is taken to Sangam. After Sankalpa, Ganga pooja is offered. There after lord is bathed. Morning pooja is performed.Again Sarvalankarbhoosh*ta lord leads for Gangavali.The palanquin reaches Shree Gangadevi temple where it is received by the Chajdar. A Chajdar is a member of a family whose seva falls during the years as per rotation. Purana has it that freightened by the loud sound of the drums of Ganas lord Rudra, Gangadevi peeps through window and realizes it is lord Shiva. The lord nocks on the door and ask Ganga to open it. Though Gangadevi knew it is Shiva who has called her by name, yet to acquaint the world with his Naamamahima she starts interrogating and the dialogue follows. Lord Shiva narrates his 13 Namabhidhanam to which Gangadevi interpretes in another manner and at last she allows him and offers her consent to marry him. It is decided that marriage will be performed on Aashvija Krishna Chaturdashi at Vivahika Parvatam in Gokarna. As a token of Vivaha Nischay Taamboolam a Golden ornament is offered to Goddess Gangadevi. Offering of Naivedyam follows. Pooja is performed. It is believed that one who listens to this sacred dialogue between lord Shiva and Goddess Gangamata will be free from all the sins.Devotees return to their homes. Payasam is the special dish in all houses on that day, thus Gangashthami is an occasion of performing Shiva Ganga Vivaham for the welfare of the universe. Mythology and Legends; Once sage Romapada, Kandu and Pruthugreeva were involved in mutual introspecting, the mistakes committed by them and to come out of it. At the same time there was a heavenly voice was heard and it said you trios go to Gokarna (today only), establish an ashram at arshakrosha – 1.25 miles north to the Rudrapad in Gokarna and perform penance praying lord Shiva. The three sages performed rigorous penance and the sages prayed to Him; Oh! Lord we have committed grave mistakes; we are suffered on account of sins kindly protect us. Lord Mahabaleshwara in appreciation of sages' penance descended and let flow Ganga pravaham which attracted the three lokas and which he wore in his Jatta. The pravaham joined the sea and was called punya nadi – Shalmali River. The sinners or their generation who seeking moksham to their pithrus if bathe in this they will shed all their sins and will attain parama yogam and thus this river is also called by name Shalookini river. This river represents the northern most boundaries of Shri Kshetra Gokarnam. Once Sage Jannu put before Sage Soota about his aparadham. Soota advised Jannu "Shalmali river flowing in Gokarna Khestram who is worshipped by trilokam Shree Jagatpavani and is capable of destroying all sins. Therefore you perform penance on its bank. She will destroy all your aparadhams".In pursuance of Soota's advice Sage Jannu established his aashram on the bank of river Shalmali, took bath in
