| Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple | |
|---|---|
 Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple during festival | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Dakshina Kannada district |
| Deity | Shri Rajarajeshwari Subramanya |
| Festivals | Polali Chendu festival |
| Features | |
| Location | |
| Location | Polali |
| State | Karnataka |
| Country | India |
  Location in Karnataka | |
| Geographic coordinates | 12°56′02″N 74°57′19″E / 12.933954°N 74.955291°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Hindu architecture |
| Creator | King Suratha |
| Completed | 8th Century AD |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | Sitting |
| Temple(s) | 1 |
| Monument(s) | 2 |
| Inscriptions | Ashoka inscriptions |
Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple is a temple located in Polali, Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka. The primary deity of the temple is Shri Rajarajeshwari. The temple was constructed in the 8th century AD by King Suratha and has been developed by many dynasties which ruled over the region. The idol of Sri Rajarajeshwari, another name/form of the divine Goddess Sri Lalita Tripurasundari, is completely moulded from clay with special medicinal properties. The temple portrays Hindu architecture with roofs adorned with wooden carvings of gods and copper plates. Daily and special poojas are conducted in the temple under the auspices of the head priests K Rama Bhat, Madhava Bhat, Parameshwara Bhat and Narayan Bhat .Annual festivals are held in the temple with much fanfare. Polali Chendu festival is an important festive event where football is played to represent the fight of good over evil. The Chendu festival is followed by the annual festival in March, which lasts for a month and is attended by people from all over the world.Tipu Sultan was an admirer of Polali Chendu and had a platform built for him to watch the game . It is called Sultan Katte even to this day.
There are four head priests (Pradhana archaka) in Rajarajeshwari temple Polali and also four terms (Paryaya).
1. Madhava Bhat (Pavitra Pani).
2. K Rama Bhat (eldest archaka).
3. Parameshwara Bhat .
4. Narayana Bhat .
Also other priests (sons or grandsons of Pradhana archakas) include:
5. Girish Bhat Polali.
6. Padmanabha Bhat.
7. Anantha Bhat.
8. Adarsha Bhat.
(Note: his list doesn't include Tantri and Mayyaru)
Priests are not hired. In polali Rajarajeshwari temple, the pooja rights are passed from father to son (heredity) , this tradition has been followed from more than thirteen generations.