Here’s a detailed guide about Shri Idagunji Maha Ganapathi Temple, also spelled Idugunji, located in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka:
🏛️ History & Legend
- The temple dates back to the 4th–5th century CE—making it over 1,500 years old .
- According to legend, toward the end of Dwapara Yuga, Sage Valakhilya and others faced hindrances in their penance. Following sage Narada‘s guidance, they performed rituals at a forest called Kunjavana by the Sharavathi River. Lord Ganesha, pleased by their devotion, agreed to reside there permanently. The site is now called Idagunji.
- The place is referenced in Skanda Purana and was sanctified by the presence of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and Ganesha himself.
🧘 Central Deity & Features
- The temple enshrines a rare Dvibhuja Ganesha—a standing idol with only two arms, holding a lotus bud (Padma) in the right hand and a modak in the left. He wears a garland styled like a sacred thread and a small bell necklace. Unlike most Ganesh idols, the rat (vahana) is not depicted.
- The idol measures approximately 83 cm in height and 59 cm in width, set on a stone slab with distinct short legs and a depression on the head.
- Idagunji Ganapathi is the Kuladevata (family deity) of the Havyaka Brahmins, and the temple is a spiritual center for pilgrims across the region.
⏰ Timings, Pooja & Sevas
Temple Hours
- Morning: 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Afternoon/Evening: 3:00 PM – 8:30 PM, daily .
Abhisheka (Holy Bath)
- 6:30 or 7:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and around 7:00 PM.
Pooja Schedule
- Morning puja: ~8:00 AM
- Maha Pooja: ~12:00 PM (or 12:30 PM on some days)
- Evening puja: around 7–8 PM.
Special Ritual: Appane Cheeti
- Devotees seeking divine guidance—often for marriage, career, or other decisions—place two chits (small paper slips) at the feet of the idol: right leg for Yes, left for No. The side on which the chit falls first is considered Ganesha’s response. This practice is usually conducted for a modest fee (e.g. ₹20).
Prasadam & Offerings
- Temple’s signature offering is Panchakhadya prasadam—a blend of five sacred ingredients.
- Free midday meal (anna-prasada) is offered at the temple’s dining hall (“Mayura Prasada Bhojanalaya”) around 1:00–1:30 PM.
Views of local shops selling aromatic gifts like vetiver (lavancha) masks are available near the complex—these are popular souvenirs with cooling and medicinal properties.
🌟 Significance & Cultural Importance
- Attracts nearly one million devotees annually, especially during major festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Sankashti Chaturthi, Angarika Chaturthi, Vijayadashami, Deepavali, and Sankranti .
- It is one of the six famous Ganesha temples along India’s western coast (the “Ganesha Coast”), forming a pilgrim circuit: Kasaragod → Mangalore → Anegudde → Kundapura → Idagunji → Gokarna. Devotees visiting all six in a single day receive special blessings.
- Families in the region also perform matrimonial rituals here, using the Appane Cheeti ritual as divine comfort in marital decisions—especially among Havyaka Brahmins and local communities.
📍 Location & Nearby Sites
- Town: Idagunji, in Honnavar Taluk, Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka, on the left bank of the Sharavathi River near the Arabian Sea.
- Proximity: ~14 km from Honnavar, ~18 km from Murudeshwar, and ~65 km from Gokarna. The nearest railway station is Manki (also spelled Mavinakatte) or Honnavar; roads connect via NH‑66 (formerly NH‑17).
- Facilities: Temple premises offer basic guest accommodation, a marriage hall, and dining hall. Additionally, Gajanan Lodge is located within 5 minutes’ walk from the temple and can be booked in advance. Other options include stays in nearby Honnavar or Murudeshwar.
✅ At-a-Glance Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Deity | Standing Dvibhuja (two‐armed) Ganesha holding lotus & modak (no rat vehicle) |
| Era | 4th–5th century CE (~1,500+ years old) |
| Annual Footfall | ~1 million devotees |
| Temple Hours | 6:00 AM–1:00 PM; 3:00 PM–8:30 PM |
| Abhisheka Slots | ~7:00 AM, ~11:00 AM, ~7:00 PM |
| Special Rituals | Appane Cheeti (divination slip ritual), free prasadam, Panchakhadya offering |
| Festivals | Ganesh Chaturthi, Sankashti Chaturthi, Vijayadashami, Deepavali, Sankranti |
| Nearby Attractions | Murudeshwar (Shiva temple and beach), Gokarna, Honnavar, Apsarakonda |