Powerful Goddess Sri Chowdeshwari Devi, who has chosen the tranquil town of Kargal on the banks of holy Sharavathi River in the charming Sharavathi Valley of Sagar Taluk in the Malnad district of Shivamogga for her abode, has been an epitome of kindness and grace, granting whatever desires the devotees come to her with and offer prayer for the fulfilment of sane goals. This pilgrim Centre has emerged into a holy temple locale of effectively granting the desired goals of devotees, who throng the place with utmost devotion, every day.

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Sharavathi valley is already a place known for supplying Light through its hydroelectric power generation unit to the entire State of Karnataka. It makes a fascinating history for everyone to know that Sri Subhash Ram Mahale, who was born in a very poor family in Manki, a place in Honnavar Taluk in the blessed coastal area, and his family, arrived at this benign place in search of livelihood in around 1964, when the area was buzzing with activities connected with the establishment of Linganamakki reservoir and hydroelectric power generation unit and that this family of Sri Subhash Ram Mahale had not dreamt in the wildest of their dreams that they would one day be instrumental in the erection and establishment of a Holy Temple abode for the most powerful and supreme Goddess in the Sharavathi Valley, which would go on to become one of the most sought after pilgrim centres for granting fulfilment of all the desires of thousands of devotees who come there with hope, faith and belief.

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Subhash Mahale once dreamt that his family deity Sri Mahalasa Narayani Devi prompted him to develop the front portion of a land, he had bought for business purpose into a holy place as well, in addition to whatever business aspirations he had in his mind. Sri Subhash Mahale shared the details of his dream with his Kulaguru Sri Samsthana Gokarna Partagali Jeevottam pontiff His Holiness Shreemad Sri Vidyadhiraja Tirtha Swamiji and the Master checked and ascertained the presence of Adishakti there and said: “This is a place where a very powerful deity is present. This place has all the features that indicate that in the nearest future, it would emerge into a very sacred place.” The Swamiji mandated Sri Subhash Mahale to develop the place as such in all earnestness. Later, another reality related to the place that it was such a sacred place where a Rishi Muni had invoked        and sought her presence in that place through arduous penance and that the Rishi Muni was still present in Hutta in the vicinity in the name of Siddhapurush was learnt through a Gramapurush Darshan of Mardol Samsthan Goa.

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As ordained by the Guruvarya, a small temple was constructed and later, with the help, support and cooperation of several people in the society, the construction of a beautiful temple in the valley region began. Encrypted with carvings of yore in Chola style, the enchanting temple structure, with the Main Tower (Mahadwara), a monolithic Dhwajastamba, Gopuram including seven Kalashas (Saptakalasha), was constructed in 1990. Along with the temple, separate enclosures, including Sri Vidyadhiraja Sabhagraha, abound with all amenities for the revered Swamiji to reside there, Sri Chowdeshwari Kalyana Mantapa or Marriage Hall to facilitate performance of rituals and other sacred programs and Dwarakanatha sabhabhavana, were opened for public service.

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In 1998, the consecration ceremony was organized with all glory and vivacity as a model for the entire land. Pontiff of Partagali Mutt Sri Vidyadhiraja Tirtha swamiji was offered a grand Poornakumbha Swagata (Welcome) in a well-decorated chariot for the inaugural ceremony. Various cultural troupes added colour and fervor to the welcome fiesta. The consecration of the Eight Gods in the Garbhagudi went on with glory and traditional spirit under the guidance and gracious presence of His Holiness Swamiji. The seven-day spectacle that turned out to be an unforgettable feast for people of the surrounding districts, was marked with various cultural, philosophical programs and mass feeding. People from all nooks and corner of the country filled their eyes with the most astounding event they had ever witnessed.

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Having served as the Dharmadarshi of the Temple and having spent all his life in guiding the innumerable devotees visiting the holy place, Sri Subhash Ram Mahale ended his corporal journey on earth in 2002. Later, his eldest son Sri Vinod Subhash Mahale has continued the work of his father as Dharmadarshi of the holy place, with the blessings, grace and guidance of the Lord.