Here’s a detailed guide to Anegudde Sri Vinayaka Temple, also known as the Siddhi Vinayaka Temple at Anegudde (Kumbhashi) in Udupi district, Karnataka:
🐘 Name & Significance
- Anegudde means “elephant hill” in Kannada (Aane = elephant, Gudde = hill), while Kumbhashi is another name derived from the demon Kumbhasura, slain here by Bheem of the Pandavas with a sword granted by Lord Ganesha.
- It is one of the revered seven “Mukti Sthalas” (Parashurama kshetras) along coastal Karnataka, believed to grant devotees salvation.
📜 Legend & History
- Legend states that Sage Agastya, during a devastating drought, performed penance here to appease the rain god. The demon Kumbhasura disrupted the ritual, prompting Lord Ganesha to empower Bheem to slay him, restoring peace and enabling the yagna’s completion.
- A devotee named Vishweshwara Upadhyaya dreamt of a young boy who led him to a divine stone covered in flowers. Later, a cow was seen milking it—seen as a sign of presence of Ganesha. Gradually a shrine formed around what became the deity’s idol.
🏛️ Deity & Architecture
- The main deity is a standing Vinayaka idol carved from natural stone (Swayambhu), clad in silver armor (and sometimes gold faceplate), in a majestic form around 12 feet tall.
- He is depicted with four hands: two upper hands in Varada Hasta (granting blessings), two lower hands pointing down (symbolizing salvation).
- The sanctum and surrounding walls feature sculptural panels from the Bhargava Purana, and smaller shrines to Surya Narayana, Chennakeshava, and Lakshminarayana are present nearby.
- The idol is believed to grow slightly every year—a sign of its divine presence.
⏰ Timings, Rituals & Sevas
Daily Schedule
- Temple hours: 5:30 AM – 9:00 PM daily.
- Morning rituals: includes Pancha Murta Abhisheka, Nirmalya Puja, Prasada Neivedya and Maha Mangala Arati.
- Midday (~12:30 PM): Mrusthanna Neivedya, flower decoration and Maha Puja.
- Evening (~8:00 PM): Saya Kala Puja and Mangala Arati.
Special Offerings
- Tulabharam: devotees offer commodities (like sugar, jaggery, coconut, rice) equivalent to their weight.
- Moodu Ganapathi Seva: offering of 125 or 1,000 coconuts, broken at deity’s feet and darshan happens through these heaps.
- Mudi Akku Kadubu Puja: steamed rice dumplings offered by devotees seeking marriage blessings.
- Other special rituals like Rang Puja and Ganahoma are performed on request.
🎉 Festivals & Cultural Events
- Ganesh Chaturthi and Sankashta Chaturthi are celebrated with great devotion and special pujas monthly.
- The annual Rathotsava (chariot festival) takes place in Margashirsha (December), drawing huge crowds.
🛣️ How to Reach & Visitor Facilities
- Located at Anegudde/Kumbhashi, about 9 km from Kundapura, 30 km from Udupi, and 96 km from Mangalore on NH‑66.
- Nearest railway station: Kundapur or Barkur; nearest airport: Mangalore International Airport.
- Access to temple: a climb up a hillock—either via stairs from the Kumbhashi bus stand or by auto-rickshaw.
- Accommodation: Two guest houses on-site—Amoda and Pramoda—available on prior booking. A large dining hall serves prasadam to pilgrims.
- Recent renovations built infrastructure such as parking (space for ~1,000 two-wheelers and ~500 cars), water supply, dining hall, dormitory, and office facilities.
✅ Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Deity | Standing Vinayaka (4-armed), silver/gold clad |
| Legend | Bheem kills demon Kumbhasura blessed by Ganesha |
| Pilgrimage Status | One of 7 Mukti Sthalas of Parashurama |
| Rituals | Daily abhishekas, Tulabharam, coconut offerings, etc. |
| Festivals | Ganesh & Sankashta Chaturthi; Rathotsava in December |
| Timings | 5:30 AM – 9:00 PM daily |
| Access | 9 km from Kundapur, accessible by foot or auto |
| Amenities | Dining hall, guest houses, ample parking |