Mahakali Janardana Temple And Sri Janardana Temple In Udupi

These temples in Ambalpady are dedicated to goddess Kali in her Mahakali form and Sri Janardana respectively. It is said that if a straight line is drawn from Krishna Temple towards west it reaches the Janardana temple. Adjacent to this is the Mahakali temple in its south east. Legends say that Goddess Kali came earlier to protect the land that is present day Ambalpady and thus the name Ambalpady was derived from ‘Amma’ and ‘Padi’ meaning ‘Woods of Amma or Mother’. Goddess Kali was then prayed in form of a stone that is still worshipped at the temple. Later, Swamy Janardana came to the region in Search of the Goddess and stayed at the temple to protect the devotees.