In the great land of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district, where 'Nagas'(the snake god) is religiously worshipped there exist 1600 temples as per the Government records.From the various Daivas(Bhoothas) and Devas(Gods) that exist here, the story of Kananjar Shree Brahmalingeshwara has special importance and sanctity.Kananjar is also called as Kanajar.
If one is coming to the temple from Udupi,one should take the Udupi-Hiriadka-Karkala route.At Gudde Angadi(after Hiriadka) one must take the right turn towards Kananjar village.This temple is three kilometers away from here.One can also approach the temple from the Udupi-Palli-Bailur-Karkala road.Near kananjar church one must take the left turn. From here to the temple is just three kilometers.
The route to the temple is absolutely mesmerizing with lush green forests and breathtaking mountains untouched yet by modern civilization.Situated in the midst of this scenic beauty stands the temple.Entering the temple one can't miss the beautiful architecture that takes you back to more than 850 years ago.
The temple has been constructed in accordance with the principles of Vaastu Shastra(the ancient science of architecture) and vinyasa (layout).The 'Garbhagudi' has been built based on the principles of chaturasra and 'Gajaya Aya'.As per the system that exists in most temples,every deity has a 'sthana' (an order of prominence).Similarity ,in this temple the pradhana devatha (main deity) is Shree Brahmalingeshwara, followed by Shree Veerabhadra, Shree Ganapathy , Shree Annapoorneshwari and then Shree Melbanta.