Shirali

• Name — Shirali • Type — village • Subdivision Type — Country • Subdivision Name — India • Subdivision Type1 — State • Subdivision Name1 — Karnataka • Subdivision Type2 — District • Subdivision Name2 — Uttara Kannada • Unit Pref — Metric • Area Total Km2 — 13.16 • Elevation M — 42 • Population Total — 23000 • Population As Of — 2011 • Population Density Km2 — auto • Demographics Type1 — Languages • Demographics1 Title1 — Official • Demographics1 Info1 — Kannada • Demographics1 Title2 — regional • Demographics1 Info2 — Konkani • Time Zone1 — IST • Utc Offset1 — +5:30 • Postal Code Type — PIN • Postal Code — 581 354 • Area Code Type — Telephone code • Area Code — 91-(0)8385 • Registration Plate — KA-47

The name Shirali is derived from Sanskrit Shrivalli, which means wealthy. The shrine of Goddess Shrivalli Bhuvaneshwari inside the premises of Chitrapur Math signifies the origin of the name Shirali.

Shirali gained historical prominence following the mass migration of the Goud Saraswat Brahmin (GSB) and Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin communities from Goa in the mid-16th century. This migration was a response to the hostile religious policies and the Goa Inquisition initiated by the Portuguese Empire around 1540–1560 AD. The devotees initially moved to Bhatkal, but were unable to immediately establish a permanent temple. They carried the sacred symbols of their deities—a silver trunk representing Ganesha (Maha Ganapathi) and a mask representing Shantadurga (Mahamaya)—and kept them in a local shop (angadi) in the Shirali area, then known as "Shirali Pete".

During the 17th and 18th centuries, Shirali fell under the jurisdiction of the Nayakas of Keladi (also known as the Ikkeri Nayakas). The Keladi rulers were known for their religious tolerance and provided land and administrative support to the displaced Saraswat communities. Maha Ganapathi Mahammaya Temple: The current temple structure in Shirali was built approximately 400 years ago on land donated by the Shenoy and Mallya families. The temple was later renovated in 1904 in the traditional Gomantak architectural style. Shri Chitrapur Math: The Chitrapur Math, the spiritual headquarters of the Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins, was established in Shirali in 1757. It was built to consecrate the Samadhi (shrine) of the second Mathadhipati, Shrimad Shankarashram Swamiji I. It was built on land donated by the Nagarkattikar family, who had their house on this spot.

Shirali is located at. It has an average elevation of 12 meters (42 ft). Nearest towns- On the South is Bhatkal and Baindur. On the North is another temple town, Murudeshwar.

Shirali is on the National Highway No. 66 (the highway that runs from Mumbai to Thiruvananthapuram). A large number of Karnataka State Transport buses pass through Shirali. Private transport buses using NH17 also provide facility to reach Shirali. From the main road (highway) of Shirali, Shri Chitrapur Math and the Maha Ganapathi Temple are about 2 km in the interior, for which auto-rickshaws are available. Distances to Shirali from some of the major cities are: • Bangalore 506 km • Mangalore 156 km • Goa (Panaji) 225 km • Mumbai 952 km • Pune 780 km • Bhatkal 03 km

On the Konkan Railway line, the nearest railway stations are Chitrapur, Murudeshwar and Bhatkal (both about 6 km from Shirali to the north and south respectively). Autorickshaws, buses and other modes of road transport are available to reach Shirali from either of the railway stations. The Mangalore-Verna stops at Chitrapur station at 9.39 a.m.and Verna-Mangalore trains stops at 17:03 p.m.

The nearest airport is Mangalore (156 km) and the next closest is Dabolim Airport in Goa (200 km).