Hebri in Karkala taluk is a prominent business centre of Udupi district. Situated just beneath the picturesque Agumbe Ghats, Hebri, enriched by the flow of river Seethanadi, has a number of agro-based industries such as cashew processing, rice mills, oil mills, cattle feed manufacturing and others. It also has a calm atmosphere, surrounded by green paddy fields, arecanut, coconut and cashew plantations and thick, green forests.
The name ‘Hebri’ has been arrived from a word- Hebberi. The village had an enormous ‘Bheri’ (Drum), an instrument producing huge noise, which was used to caution people during calamities. This Bheri (Hebberi) brought a beautiful name for a colourful town.
Lord Anantha Padmanabha is the presiding deity of the Temple, situated on the main road. The Temple premise also accommodates the shrines of Kshethrapala, Khadga Ravana and Dhoomavathi. The idol, a beautiful black granite sculpture in standing posture, is three feet in height. Famous historian late Dr Gururaj Bhat, who had studied the sculpture of the deity, was of the opinion that the deity should have to be recognised as Lord Srinivasa. But available lithographs, which also point at the generous donations of some kings to this Temple, have mentioned the deity as Sri Anantha Devaru or Sri Anantha Padmanabha. Three different idols were installed simultaneously in three Temples at Hebri, Perdur and Iruvathur.
A Brahmin family was brought here in the 18th century for worshipping Lord Anantha Padmanabha. Beedina Ballala family of Hebri is looking after the management of the Temple on hereditary basis.
It is said that in the beginning of the 20th century, almost half of the Hebri Town was reduced to ashes in a fire accident. The Temple Car (Ratha) also became a victim of the fire. Later devotees offered a new Car for their Lord. Annual festival- Gounothsava- is held for five days starting from Kumbha Sankramana.
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