Anegudde is a small hill shrine on the Konkan coast of Karnataka, better known for the standing Ganesha it houses than for the village at its foot. The full name is Anegudde Sri Vinayaka Temple, at Kumbashi in Kundapura taluk, Udupi district, Karnataka. This guide covers how to reach it, timings, the legend, what to see nearby, and how to plan a calm one-day visit.
Anegudde Sri Vinayaka Temple sits on a low hillock at Kumbashi, about 1 km east of National Highway 66 between Udupi and Kundapura in Karnataka’s Udupi district. It is one of the seven Mukti Sthalas of the coast and is dedicated to a standing form of Ganesha.
Key takeaways
- Anegudde Sri Vinayaka Temple is at Kumbashi, Kundapura taluk, Udupi district, Karnataka 576257 — roughly 7 km from Kundapura and 30 km from Udupi, per the temple’s official site.
- The temple’s official site lists daily hours of about 6:00 am to 8:30 pm, and entry for darshan is free; confirm before you travel.
- It is counted among the seven Mukti Sthalas (Parashurama kshetras) of coastal Karnataka, and the deity is worshipped as a standing Vinayaka in silver armour.
- The name joins the Kannada aane (elephant) and gudde (hillock); the village name Kumbashi is linked in local belief to the demon Kumbhasura.
- The nearest railhead is Kundapura (about 10 km) and the nearest airport is Mangalore, about 88 km away, per the temple site.
- October to February is the comfortable, drier window on this coast; the June–September monsoon is heavy.
About Anegudde and quick facts
Anegudde is a hill-top Ganesha temple at Kumbashi, in the Kundapura taluk of Udupi district, Karnataka. Do not confuse it with Anegundi, the village across the river from Hampi in Koppal district; the two names sound alike but sit over 400 km apart, inland. Anegudde is purely coastal — a short climb up a rock-and-greenery hillock just off the main highway.
According to the temple’s official site, the shrine honours Lord Vinayaka (Ganapati), and the main sanctum holds a standing figure of the deity dressed in silver armour. The temple describes itself as one of the seven sacred kshetras of this stretch of coast. The village below, Kumbashi, is mentioned in the Tirtha Prabandha, a work attributed to the Madhwa-tradition saint Shri Vadiraja Tirtha, as noted in references on the temple’s Wikipedia entry.
The site has carried different names over time. The temple’s own history page lists Harihara Kshetra, Madhukanana and Gautama Kshetra as earlier names, with Kumbhashi as the present one. These are matters of tradition and scripture rather than documented history, so treat them as belief.
The legend of the demon slayer
According to local belief, Anegudde is where the god Ganesha helped slay a demon during a drought. In the most widely repeated version, recorded on travel and temple pages, the sage Agastya began a yagna (fire ritual) to bring rain, and a demon named Kumbhasura disrupted the rites. Ganesha is said to have given Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers, a sword with which Bhima killed the demon at this spot.
The temple’s own history page tells a related story set in a drought, naming Sage Gautama performing yajnas here. The versions differ in their details and names, as temple legends often do; the common thread is a drought, a disruptive demon and Ganesha’s intervention. The name Kumbashi is linked in local belief to the demon Kumbhasura, while Anegudde simply means “elephant hill” in Kannada — a fitting name for a shrine to the elephant-headed god.
Best time to visit
The comfortable season to visit Anegudde is October to February, the drier, cooler window on the Karnataka coast. The southwest monsoon between June and September brings heavy rain to this belt, and March to May turns hot and humid. The temple is open year-round, so monsoon visits are possible — the surrounding country is lush then — but carry rain cover and expect sudden downpours.
Festival days draw very large crowds. The temple reported roughly 60,000 devotees on a single Maha Chouthi (Sankashta Chaturthi) day in September 2026. If you want a quiet darshan, avoid Chaturthi days and the December car festival; if you want the full temple atmosphere, those are the days to come.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (best) | October–February | Cooler, drier, pleasant for the climb and nearby beaches; driest in December–February. |
| Summer | March–May | Hot and humid; early-morning darshan is kindest. |
| Monsoon | June–September | Heavy coastal rain, green landscape; beaches and boat rides often off. |
How to reach Anegudde
Anegudde lies about 1 km east of NH 66, so reaching it is straightforward by road; the nearest town is Kundapura, about 7 km away. According to the temple’s official site, it is about 30 km from Udupi and about 88 km from Mangalore. Buses between Udupi and Kundapura pass Kumbashi on the highway, and autos or cabs cover the last stretch to the temple.
By air: the nearest airport is Mangalore International Airport, about 88 km south, with onward taxis and buses. By train: the nearest railhead is Kundapura on the Konkan Railway, about 10 km away; Udupi station is another option about 30 km south. Train services and timings change, so check live running on the official railway enquiry channels before you rely on a specific service. By road: Kumbashi is on the Mangalore–Kundapura–Bhatkal highway corridor, easily linked from Mangalore and the wider Karnataka coast.
| From | Approx. distance | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Kundapura town | ~7 km | Auto / cab / bus |
| Kundapura railway station | ~10 km | Nearest railhead (Konkan Railway) |
| Udupi | ~30 km | Bus / cab |
| Mangalore International Airport | ~88 km | Nearest airport |
Things to see and do
The main thing to do at Anegudde is a calm darshan of the standing Vinayaka, reached by a short flight of steps up the hillock. The sanctum image is the draw: a standing Ganesha, described on the temple site as clad in silver armour, unusual among Ganesha shrines where the deity is more often seated. Allow about 30–45 minutes for a normal darshan, longer on festival and Chaturthi days when queues are heavy.
Beyond darshan, the temple is known for specific sevas (ritual offerings). Tulabhara, in which a devotee offers produce or goods equal to their body weight, is commonly performed here. Families also come for Aksharabhyasa, a child’s first-letters ceremony, and for Ganahoma, a fire ritual to Ganesha. Several sevas, including a 1008-coconut Ganahoma and Satyanarayana Puja, need advance booking through the temple — contact the seva section before you travel.
| Time | Pooja |
|---|---|
| 6:00 am | Morning pooja with Nirmalya visarjana |
| 11:00 am | Panchamrutha-sahitha Kalashabhisheka |
| 1:00 pm | Mahapooje and Annadana (community meal) |
| 6:00 pm | Rangapooja and evening utsava |
| 8:30 pm | Night pooja |
Timings shift on Ekadashi days, when Ganahoma and some services move to Dwadashi, and the temple schedules Satyanarayana Puja only on certain days. Reconfirm the day’s schedule with the temple if a specific seva matters to you. The December car festival (Rathotsava) and the Kartika lamp festival (Deepotsava) are the big annual events; Ganesha Chaturthi and the monthly Sankashta Chaturthi draw the largest crowds.
A suggested one-day plan
Anegudde works best as a half-day stop folded into a coastal temple run. A simple plan:
- Early morning: reach Kumbashi for the 6:00 am opening, climb the steps and take an unhurried darshan before the crowds build.
- Mid-morning: complete any booked seva (Tulabhara, Aksharabhyasa or Ganahoma), then have a simple breakfast in Kundapura.
- Midday: drive to Maravanthe to see the stretch where the Arabian Sea and the Souparnika river run on either side of the road; stay for the Mahapooje and Annadana at the temple if you prefer.
- Afternoon: continue to Kollur Mookambika for a second temple darshan, or return south toward Udupi for the Sri Krishna Matha.
Pilgrims combining Anegudde with Kollur, Murudeshwar and Udupi usually spread it across two days, basing themselves in Kundapura or Udupi.
Where to stay
The temple itself runs guest houses at Kumbashi, which is the easiest option for an early darshan. According to the temple’s official site, the economy block (Aamoda) offers standard rooms with a common bathroom, and the premium block (Pramoda) offers AC and non-AC rooms with attached hot-water bathrooms. Book these directly through the temple’s guest-house line in advance, especially around festivals.
For a wider choice of hotels, Kundapura (about 7 km) and Udupi (about 30 km) have budget lodges, mid-range hotels and a few beach resorts near Maravanthe. The bands below are indicative planning estimates — reconfirm with the property.
| Type | Indicative tariff / night | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Temple guest house (Aamoda) | ₹400–₹800 (temple-listed) | Standard rooms, common bathroom; book via temple |
| Temple guest house (Pramoda) | ₹800–₹1,000 (temple-listed) | AC / non-AC, attached bath with hot water |
| Budget lodges, Kundapura | ₹900–₹1,800 (indicative — reconfirm) | Simple rooms near the highway and town |
| Mid-range hotels, Udupi/Maravanthe | ₹2,000–₹4,500 (indicative — reconfirm) | Hotels and some beachside resorts |
Food to try
Udupi district is the home of Udupi cuisine, the pure-vegetarian South Indian cooking served in temples and the region’s famous eateries. On a temple visit, the simplest and most authentic meal is the Annadana (free community meal) served after the midday Mahapooje — a plain, satisfying rice-and-sambar thali.
In Kundapura and Udupi, look for local staples: neer dosa (soft, lacy rice-batter crepes), goli baje (fluffy fried gram-flour dumplings, also called Mangalore bajji), kadubu (steamed rice dumplings) and strong South Indian filter coffee. Kundapura’s coast is also known for Kundapura-style seafood for non-vegetarian travellers, though you will not find any inside temple precincts.
Budget breakdown
A visit to Anegudde is inexpensive — darshan is free, and the main costs are travel, a room and food. The table is a planning estimate for one person on a simple one-night trip; reconfirm current fares and tariffs before you travel.
| Item | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Darshan entry | Free |
| Room (temple guest house / budget lodge) | ₹400–₹1,800 |
| Meals (2–3, incl. a seafood or Udupi thali) | ₹300–₹700 |
| Local transport (auto/cab last mile, buses) | ₹300–₹900 |
| Optional seva (e.g. a small pooja) | ₹100–₹500+ |
| Rough total | ₹1,100–₹3,900 |
Costs rise sharply if you hire a full-day cab for a multi-temple circuit or travel during festival peaks, when rooms fill and fares climb.
Rules, dress code and etiquette
No special permits are needed to visit Anegudde — it is an open temple on public land, with no ILP, park or entry permit involved. The usual temple etiquette applies: dress modestly, remove footwear before the steps, and switch phones to silent. Many coastal temples expect men to remove shirts before entering the inner sanctum and discourage shorts; dress conservatively to be safe and ask at the temple office if unsure.
Photography rules inside the sanctum are set by the temple and are often restricted; check at the counter rather than assume. Drone use near a crowded hill temple is inappropriate and may be restricted — do not fly without explicit permission. Keep the hillock clean and avoid single-use plastic.
Practical tips
- Timing: come at opening (around 6:00 am) or late afternoon for a calmer darshan; avoid Chaturthi days if you want to skip crowds.
- Connectivity and cash: this is a well-connected coastal belt with mobile coverage; carry some cash for autos, small offerings and local eateries even though UPI is widely accepted. ATMs are in Kundapura.
- Health: the nearest larger hospitals are in Kundapura and Udupi; carry any personal medication, as the hill shrine itself has only basic facilities.
- Solo and women travellers: the temple and the Udupi–Kundapura corridor are busy and generally comfortable; use licensed taxis and regular buses, and plan to finish travel before late night.
- What to pack: light cottons and a sun hat for most of the year; add rain cover in the monsoon and a light layer for early-morning winter travel. Modest clothing for temple entry.
Nearby places
Anegudde sits in the middle of a cluster of well-known coastal temples and beaches, which is why most visitors fold it into a longer route. Distances below are approximate and drawn from travel listings, so check a map before planning a day’s driving.
| Place | Approx. distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Maravanthe beach | ~15 km (from Kundapura) | Sea on one side, Souparnika river on the other along the highway |
| Kundapura | ~7 km | Nearest town, railhead, lodges and Kundapura-style food |
| Kollur Mookambika Temple | ~38–45 km | Major Devi temple at the foot of the Kodachadri hills |
| Udupi (Sri Krishna Matha) | ~30 km | Famous Krishna temple and the home of Udupi cuisine |
| Murudeshwar | ~70 km | Towering Shiva statue and sea-facing temple |
Travellers with time often continue inland to the coffee hills around Chikmagalur, a few hours up the Ghats, for a change from the coast.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Anegudde temple located?
Anegudde Sri Vinayaka Temple is at Kumbashi, in Kundapura taluk, Udupi district, Karnataka 576257. It stands on a hillock about 1 km east of National Highway 66, between Udupi and Kundapura on the Konkan coast — roughly 7 km from Kundapura town and about 30 km from Udupi.
What are the Anegudde temple timings?
The temple’s official site lists daily darshan hours of about 6:00 am to 8:30 pm, with poojas through the day. Some listings give slightly different hours, so reconfirm before you travel, especially on Ekadashi and festival days when the schedule shifts. Entry for ordinary darshan is free.
Which god is worshipped at Anegudde?
Anegudde is a Ganesha temple; the deity is worshipped as Vinayaka (Ganapati). The sanctum holds a standing figure of Ganesha dressed in silver armour, which is unusual as Ganesha is more often shown seated. The temple is one of the seven Mukti Sthalas of coastal Karnataka.
How do I reach Anegudde by train or air?
The nearest railway station is Kundapura on the Konkan Railway, about 10 km from the temple, with Udupi station about 30 km south. The nearest airport is Mangalore International Airport, roughly 88 km away. Train timings change, so check official railway enquiry channels for current services before relying on a specific train.
What does the name Anegudde mean?
Anegudde combines the Kannada words aane (elephant) and gudde (hillock), so it means “elephant hill” — fitting for a shrine to the elephant-headed Ganesha. The village name Kumbashi is linked in local belief to a demon called Kumbhasura, who appears in the temple’s founding legend.
Do I need a permit to visit Anegudde?
No permit is needed to visit Anegudde. It is an open public temple with no entry permit, inner-line permit or park permit involved, and darshan is free. Normal temple etiquette applies — dress modestly, remove footwear, and check the counter about photography rules inside the sanctum.
Last updated and sources
Anegudde suits pilgrims and travellers on a coastal Karnataka temple circuit who want a short, meaningful stop rather than a long excursion. Come between October and February for the easiest weather, and start early for a quiet darshan.
Last updated: 28 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Anegudde Sri Vinayaka Temple official site, aneguddetemple.in (history, timings, pooja schedule, guest house, contacts, festivals); Wikipedia: Kumbashi (location, Mukti Sthala status, Tirtha Prabandha reference, coordinates); Trawell: Anegudde Vinayaka Temple (idol description, legend, distances, car festival); and coastal-Karnataka seasonal travel guides for the best-time pattern. Accessed September 2026.
