Udupi, Kukke Subramanya, Dharmasthala and Sringeri temples

Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka on the west coast has some of the most famous temples. They include famous Krishna temple at Udupi, Mookambika temple at Kolur, Manjunatha temple at Dharmasthala, Subramanya temple at Kukke and Sringeri mutt.

Planning the Trip

Own Vehicle : If you are travelling by your own vehicle, the popular itinerary is
Bangalore - Kukke Subramanya - Dharmasthala - Udupi - Kollur - Sringeri - Bangalore
Practical Tips

Tourist Taxi : If you plan to hire a tourist vehicle, it is better to base yourself at Udupi and hire vehicle from Udupi. There is a tourist operator within Udupi temple complex, who offers tourist vehicles on hire. There are plenty of budget accommodation options at Udupi

Public Transport : In fact, you can manage the entire itinerary using public transport as Dakshin Kannada is blessed with a fairly efficient private bus service. Again, it could be easier to start the tour from Udupi or from Kukke Subramanya. From Bangalore, one can reach Kukke by train too

Sri Krishna Mutt, Udupi

Contact Number of Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt:0820-2520598

Sri Krishna This is one of holiest pilgrimage centers in India established by Dwaita saint, Sri Madhwacahrya. The unique feature of this temple is that darshana of the lord can be had only thru' a window with nine holes called the Navagraha Kitiki. It is said that idol turned around to provide darshana to Kanakadasa.

Only the swamiji are allowed to enter enter the garbha gruha of Udupi Krishna Temple.The presiding Swamiji worships Lord Krishna fourteen times a day. Afternoon and night poojas are elaborate and a treat to watch.

Udupi Temple Timings

The temple is open almost all thru' the day for darshan.
Pooja and Seva Timings
Morning : 4 AM to 11 AM (Usha Kala pooja, Panchamruta Abisheka and Madyana Maha pooja
Evening : 5 PM to 8 PM (Chamara Seva, Rathri Pooja, Rathotsava and Totilu Seva

Apart from establishing Krishna Mutt, Madwacharya started eight mutts (called ashta matas) and all the eight mutts can be found in Udupi. Paryaya is an important event in Udupi. Paryaya is a system in which the eight pontiffs of Udupi undertake the responsibility of worshipping Lord Krishna and manage the temple by turn for a fixed period of time. More details of the mutt and the Shrine can be read here .

Udupi Accommodation:

Udipi is the ideal base for you to explore all the temples in Dakshina Kannada district. Pilgrims can stay at in various temple guest houses. Popular ones are : Indraprasta Guest House (0820-2522222); Sri Bhuvaraha Guest house, next to Sode mutt and Krishnadham behind Krishna Mutt

Apart from the temple guest houses, there are various Hotels in Udupi that are close to Krishna mutt with very reasonable tariffs

Details of temples at Udupi

Kukke Subramanya Temple.

Kukke Subramanya Contact Number : Tel #: 91-8257-281224/281423/281700 (Priest:+91-9945618495)

Kukke Subramanya Temple is situated in Kukke- a scenic village on the foots of Kumara Mountains. Lord Subramanya is the deity worshiped in the form of a Cobra (Sarpa). In the temple, Subramanya is enshrined seated on a peacock in the sanctum of this temple. Also enshrined here are images of Vasuki and Adi Sesha. Legend has it that Garuda, the mount of Vishnu was once chasing Vasuki - the king of snakes. Vasuki took refuge in Subramanya who offered protection to the snake from Garuda

Many devotees visit the temple if their horoscope has “sarpa dosha”. Famous cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar, visited this place to offer prayers as he was believed to be afflicted with Sarpa Dosha.
Please note that one may need advance booking for performing sevas like Sarpa Samskara Seva at Kukke Subramanya

Kukke Subramanya Temple Timings

Morning : 7am - 1pm
Evening : 3pm - 8pm

Kukke Subramanya Accommodation :

Accommodation options at Kukke include temple guest houses and private lodges.
Detailed list of Kukke Subramanya Accommodation

Trek to scenic Kumara Parvata is excellent and one of the important hiking trails.

Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple:

Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple Phone # :08256 - 277121, 277141 ; Website

Manjunatha (Shiva) is the deity of the temple. Dharmasthala literally means “Place of Dharma”. Dharmadhikari at Dharmasthala provides judgement to local disputes and hence the name. Dharmasthala is a miracle of paradoxes. Here different faiths co-exist in harmony. Dharmasthala is famous for its Anna seva - food is provided to lakhs of devotees everyday. Food is prepared in hygienic environment and using modern techniques

Dharmasthala Temple Timings

Morning : 6-30 a.m. to 2-00 p.m.
Evening : 3pm - 8pm (Pooja is between 7 PM - 8 PM)

Dharmasthala Accommodation

Temple has numerous guest houses where pilgrims can stay comfortably. Visit the official site for more details on the temple and accommodation facilities at Dharmasthala.

Mookambika temple at Kollur

Kollur Mookambika Tel # 08254-758488

Goddess Mookambika is in the form of Jyotir-Linga incorporating both Shiva and Shakti. The swayambhu lingam in front of the image installed by Adi Sankara, has a golden rekha (line) approximately at the center, and is considered to be a Shiva-Shakti manifestation.

The Panchaloha image (five element mixed metal) of the Goddess on Shree Chakra is stated to have been consecrated by Adi Shankaracharya during his visit to this place.
You can visit Mookamika temple from Udupi via Kundapur. A trek to the peak of the Kudashadri peak and a hike to the Govinda Theertha waterfalls are noteworthy trips from Kollur. Pooja and other details are listed here

Sringeri Mutt

Contact number of Sringeri Mutt : 08265 250123/250192

Sringeri Mutt was established by renowned 8th century philosopher saint Sri Adi Shankara, the principal exponent of Advaita (non-dualism). The Divinity of Knowledge, Goddess Sharada, installed at Sringeri by Sri Adi Shankara, graces the Peetham as the presiding deity. It is said that Shankaracharya decided to establish peetam at Sringeri after he saw a rare sight of a hooded king cobra giving shade to a pregnant frog, thus saving it from the burning rays of the sun. Adi Sankara felt that the place had to remarkable if the worst of enemies help each other.

Sringeri is located amidst the Western Ghats in Chikamaglur district of Karnataka, heart of "Malandu", on the left bank of the river Tunga. The twelve pillars in the Vidyashankar temple, popularly known as Rashistambhas (zodiacal pillars) is a major attraction. . Symbols of the twelve divisions of the zodiac are engraved on hese pillars. It is said that the design of the pillars involved certain astro-nomical concepts – for example, the first rays of the rising sun fall on specific pillars with the zodiacal symbol on the pillar corresponding to the position of the sun.

There are many routes to reach Sringeri. If you reaching from Udupi or Mangalore, you need to reach Karkala and take the scenic route to reach Sringeri. There are overnight buses from Bangalore.
Daily Anna Dhanam is a significant feature of Sri Sharadha Peetam Sringeri..Every Devotee or Pilgrim who visits Sringeri is given bhojan. Temple offers Annaseva as well has clean comfortable rooms for accommodation. More details can be found here

Sringeri Accommodation

Accommodation options include temple guest houses and private lodges. Find detailed list of accommodation options at Sringeri

Contribution and edited by Vasudev

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