This Sirsi Marikamba temple guide is for anyone planning a trip to the Malnad town of Sirsi in Uttara Kannada, Karnataka, to visit the Marikamba shrine and the Western Ghats sights around it. The temple, known locally as Marigudi, is dedicated to Marikamba Devi, a form of Durga, and anchors one of South India’s largest religious fairs, the biennial jatra. This page covers darshan, the fair, the best season, how to reach from Hubballi or Kumta, nearby places, and where to stay.
Sirsi Marikamba Temple sits in the hill town of Sirsi in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka, and honours Marikamba Devi, worshipped as a form of Durga. Its grand chariot jatra is held once every two years. Darshan happens daily, with the richest atmosphere in the cool, post-monsoon months.
Sirsi Marikamba temple guide: the basics
Sirsi is a town of around 611 metres (2,005 feet) elevation in the Western Ghats, set among arecanut gardens, spice plots and evergreen forest. According to the Sirsi, Karnataka Wikipedia entry, the town records roughly 2,635 mm of rain a year, which explains the deep green of the Malnad belt and the waterfalls that ring it. The region is known for arecanut, and the local “Sirsi Supari” variety holds a geographical indication tag.
The Marikamba temple itself was built in the late seventeenth century. Wikipedia dates the structure to 1688, with the present deity installation traditionally placed around 1689 CE under the Sonda rulers. The sanctum holds a tall image of the goddess, described as roughly seven feet high, eight-armed, seated on a tiger and slaying a demon. The temple’s interiors carry Kaavi (Kavi) art, a natural-pigment mural technique once common along the Konkan coast, now rarely practised.
For travellers, the temple works as both a devotional stop and a base. Sirsi is a natural gateway to the limestone towers of Yana, the Aghanashini and Shalmala valleys, the ancient Kadamba capital of Banavasi, and a string of waterfalls. You can see the shrine in an hour and still fill two or three days with the countryside around it.
The biennial Marikamba jatra
The Marikamba jatra is the temple’s defining event and, by common description in the Karnataka press, one of the biggest religious fairs in South India. The key point for planning is that it is biennial: the temple celebrates the jatra once every two years, not annually. If you want to see it, you have to time your trip to the right year.
As of October 2026, the most recent edition ran from 24 February to 4 March 2026, per the temple’s Wikipedia record and Karnataka news coverage; the edition before that was in 2024. Following the every-two-years pattern, the next jatra would fall in 2028, around the same late-February to early-March window. Treat that 2028 timing as a projection and reconfirm the exact dates with the temple administration closer to the time, because the fair is set by the lunar calendar and local arrangements.
The festival runs over about nine days and follows a mythic sequence. Early days mark the symbolic marriage of the goddess, followed by the slaying of the demon Mahishasura, and then days of Vijayotsava (victory celebration). The centrepiece is the rathotsava, when the goddess is drawn on a large wooden chariot from the temple through the town to the Bidkibail ground (also linked with the Gadduge site) and later brought back. Reporting on past fairs describes crowds running into the lakhs, so expect heavy footfall, road diversions and full hotels across Sirsi and nearby towns during jatra week.
Darshan, timings and temple etiquette
The temple is open to visitors every day. Published darshan hours vary between listings, so treat the following as indicative and reconfirm locally: several sources give roughly 6 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 8:30 pm, with a midday break, while others quote a continuous 7 am to 9 pm. Friday and festival days draw larger crowds, and specific poojas such as the morning abhisheka and the midday mangalarathi follow their own schedule.
Dress modestly, as at any active Hindu shrine; cover shoulders and knees. Remove footwear before entering, keep phones silent inside the sanctum, and follow the queue and any photography restriction shown at the temple. There is no entry fee to seek darshan. If you want to attend a particular pooja or seva, ask at the temple office on arrival.
Best time to visit
Karnataka Tourism recommends October to February for Sirsi, and that advice holds for both the temple and the surrounding Ghats. Winter is cool and dry, the forest is still green from the monsoon, and the waterfalls carry good flow in the weeks just after the rains. Monsoon (June to September) is lush but makes ghat roads and waterfall trails slippery, so travel with care. The table below is a general guide for the Sirsi area, not a precise forecast.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Post-monsoon / winter | October–February | Cool, dry, green; best for the temple, Yana and waterfalls. Peak comfort. |
| Summer | March–May | Warmer and drier; waterfalls thin out; jatra years see the fair in late Feb–early Mar. |
| Monsoon | June–September | Very heavy rain, full waterfalls, slippery trails and cautious ghat driving. |
How to reach Sirsi
Sirsi is an inland Malnad town, reached by road from either the coast or the Deccan plateau. There is no airport or large railway junction in the town itself, so most visitors drive the last stretch by bus or taxi.
By air: The nearest airport is Hubballi (Hubli, airport code HBX), about 105–110 km away by road (as of October 2026), roughly a 2.5-hour drive. Hubballi has domestic flights to Bengaluru and other cities on carriers including IndiGo and Fly91; confirm current schedules when you book. Dabolim in Goa and Mangaluru are the other, more distant options.
By rail: Sirsi has no major station of its own. The commonly cited railheads are Talaguppa, about 54 km away, and Kumta on the coastal Konkan line, about 60–62 km away. From either, continue by bus or taxi. Check live train running on official railway channels before you rely on a particular service.
By road: Karnataka’s state buses and private operators link Sirsi with Hubballi, Bengaluru, Goa and the coastal towns. From the coast, Kumta is about 62 km over a scenic ghat; from the plateau, Hubballi is the usual entry. Distances below are approximate road figures and vary a little by route and source.
| From/To | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hubballi (Hubli) airport/city | ~105–110 km | Nearest airport; ~2.5 hr drive |
| Kumta (coast, rail) | ~62 km | Konkan railway; ghat road |
| Talaguppa (rail) | ~54 km | Nearest railhead for many trains |
| Yana rocks | ~40 km | Toward the coast; forest road |
| Unchalli (Lushington) Falls | ~30–35 km | Last stretch on foot |
| Banavasi | ~24 km | Ancient Kadamba capital |
| Sahasralinga | ~14 km | Carvings in the Shalmala river |
Top things to see and do
Beyond the Marikamba shrine, Sirsi’s draw is its countryside. Most of the sights below need a half-day trip by taxi or two-wheeler, and several involve a short walk on uneven ground, so wear sturdy shoes. Plan around daylight, as forest roads are poorly lit.
Marikamba temple: the town-centre shrine itself, worth a calm morning visit. Allow about an hour, more on Fridays or festival days.
Yana: twin black crystalline karst limestone monoliths deep in the Western Ghats between Sirsi and Kumta. The taller, Bhairaveshwara Shikhara, stands about 120 metres (390 feet); the smaller Mohini Shikhara about 90 metres (300 feet). A cave temple at the base of the larger rock holds a swayambhu (self-manifested) Shiva linga. A forest trail of roughly 2.5–3 km with stepped sections leads to the formations; Karnataka Tourism suggests October to March as the best window.
Unchalli Falls (Lushington Falls): here the Aghanashini river drops about 116 metres. Karnataka Tourism notes a motorable road runs to within about 1 km of the viewpoint, with the last stretch on foot, and that the post-monsoon season is the best time to visit.
Sahasralinga: a riverbed of the Shalmala, about 14 km from Sirsi, carved with hundreds of Shiva lingas and Nandi figures, best seen when the water is low.
Banavasi: about 24 km away, the old capital of the Kadamba dynasty and home to the Madhukeshwara temple, one of Karnataka’s oldest shrines.
| Spot | Distance from Sirsi | Why go | Time needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marikamba temple | In town | Durga shrine, Kaavi art, jatra site | ~1 hr |
| Yana rocks | ~40 km | Limestone monoliths, cave temple, forest trek | Half day |
| Unchalli Falls | ~30–35 km | 116 m Aghanashini waterfall; short walk | Half day |
| Sahasralinga | ~14 km | Riverbed Shiva-linga carvings | 2–3 hr |
| Banavasi | ~24 km | Kadamba capital, Madhukeshwara temple | Half day |
Suggested two-day itinerary
This works well outside jatra season, when crowds are light and roads are clear.
- Day 1: Reach Sirsi by late morning. Visit the Marikamba temple, then have lunch in town. In the afternoon, drive out to Sahasralinga and, if time allows, Banavasi for the Madhukeshwara temple. Return to Sirsi for the night.
- Day 2: Start early for Yana; do the forest trail to the monoliths and the cave temple. On the way back toward the coast or Sirsi, add Unchalli Falls if the season and daylight allow. Head on to Kumta or back to Hubballi by evening.
In a jatra year, build the trip around the fair dates instead, keep extra time for traffic, and book your stay well in advance.
Where to stay
Sirsi has a modest spread of lodges and small hotels aimed mainly at pilgrims and regional travellers, plus homestays in the arecanut country around town. It is not a resort destination, so set expectations for simple, clean rooms rather than luxury. The price bands below are indicative planning estimates, not quoted tariffs; reconfirm current rates directly with each property before you book.
- Budget (indicative, reconfirm): town lodges and pilgrim-oriented hotels, roughly ₹800–₹1,800 a night for a double.
- Mid-range (indicative, reconfirm): better hotels and well-run homestays, roughly ₹2,000–₹4,000 a night.
- Homestays and estate stays (indicative, reconfirm): rates vary widely with meals and setting; ask what is included.
During jatra week, rooms across Sirsi and surrounding towns fill early and rates rise, so book months ahead if you are travelling for the fair. If you base on the coast, Kumta and Gokarna give more choice and an easy day trip inland.
Food to try
Sirsi’s food is coastal-Malnad Karnataka cooking, vegetarian-leaning and built around rice and local produce. Look out for:
- Todadevu / kadubu (steamed rice dumplings) and other steamed rice preparations common in the Malnad.
- Appehuli / tambuli (a cooling buttermilk-based side, often with herbs or ground coconut).
- Kesari bath and uppittu (sweet semolina and savoury semolina breakfasts) at town eateries.
- Local sweets and arecanut-area produce, including jaggery-based dishes and seasonal fruit.
Simple pure-vegetarian “khanavali” and hotel meals are easy to find near the temple. If you have a specific dietary need, ask before ordering, as menus are informal.
Budget breakdown
The table below is a planning estimate for two people on a two-day, non-jatra trip, assuming budget-to-mid accommodation, shared taxi for sightseeing and simple meals. All figures are indicative and should be reconfirmed; they are not quoted fares or tariffs.
| Item | Indicative cost | Assumption |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (1 night) | ₹1,500–₹3,500 | Budget to mid-range double |
| Local transport / taxi | ₹2,500–₹4,500 | Day hire for Yana, falls, Sahasralinga |
| Meals | ₹800–₹1,500 | Simple vegetarian meals for two |
| Entry/parking/misc | ₹300–₹700 | Parking, small fees, offerings |
| Approx total | ₹5,100–₹10,200 | Excludes travel to Sirsi itself |
Costs rise sharply in a jatra year because of demand. Travel to and from Sirsi (bus, train or flight to Hubballi) is extra and depends on your start point.
Permits and rules
No special permit such as an inner-line permit is needed to visit Sirsi, the Marikamba temple or the usual nearby sights; this is ordinary travel within Karnataka. For the temple, follow the standard etiquette: modest dress, footwear removed, and any photography restriction displayed on the day. At Yana and the waterfalls you are in Western Ghats forest country, so carry out your litter, avoid single-use plastic where asked, and stay on marked trails. If any site adds a camera, drone or guide rule, respect the notice shown there.
Practical tips
- Connectivity: mobile coverage is reliable in Sirsi town but patchy in the forest around Yana and the falls; download maps offline before you set out.
- Cash and UPI: ATMs and UPI work in town, but carry some cash for rural stretches, small eateries and parking where digital payment may not work.
- Health: Sirsi town has hospitals and pharmacies; the surrounding trails do not, so carry basic first aid, water and any personal medicines.
- Trails and footwear: the Yana walk and waterfall approaches are uneven and can be slippery, especially after rain. Wear grippy shoes and watch your footing near water.
- Solo women travellers: Sirsi is a small, temple-town setting and generally calm; as anywhere, prefer daytime travel on forest roads, keep someone informed of your plan, and arrange return transport in advance since public transport thins out after dark.
- Packing: light cottons for day, a warm layer for cool winter evenings, rain protection in and around the monsoon, and a torch for poorly lit roads.
Nearby places
Sirsi pairs naturally with the wider Uttara Kannada circuit. Many of these can be strung together on the drive between the coast and the plateau. If you are planning a longer loop through the state, our Karnataka travel guide sets out the regions and routes.
| Place | Distance from Sirsi | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Yana | ~40 km | Limestone monoliths and cave temple in the Ghats |
| Unchalli Falls | ~30–35 km | Tall Aghanashini waterfall, post-monsoon |
| Sahasralinga | ~14 km | Shalmala riverbed carvings |
| Banavasi | ~24 km | Kadamba capital and Madhukeshwara temple |
| Kumta | ~62 km | Coastal town and railhead; beaches nearby |
Frequently asked questions
When is the Sirsi Marikamba jatra held?
The Sirsi Marikamba jatra is biennial, held once every two years in late February to early March. The most recent edition ran 24 February to 4 March 2026, so the next would fall around 2028. Dates follow the lunar calendar, so reconfirm with the temple before planning a jatra trip.
What are the Sirsi Marikamba temple darshan timings?
The temple is open daily for darshan. Listings vary, but it is commonly given as roughly 6 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 8:30 pm, with some sources quoting 7 am to 9 pm. Fridays and festival days are busier. Reconfirm current timings locally, as published hours differ between sources.
How do I reach Sirsi?
Reach Sirsi by road from Hubballi (about 105–110 km, the nearest airport) or from the coast via Kumta (about 62 km). The nearest railheads are Talaguppa (about 54 km) and Kumta (about 60 km), both continued by bus or taxi. State and private buses also serve Sirsi directly.
What is the best time to visit Sirsi?
October to February is the best time, per Karnataka Tourism. Winter is cool and dry, the forest stays green after the monsoon, and waterfalls run well. Monsoon brings heavy rain and slippery trails, so travel cautiously. In a jatra year, plan instead around the late-February fair dates.
Is there an entry fee for the Marikamba temple?
No, seeking ordinary darshan at the Sirsi Marikamba temple does not carry an entry fee. Specific poojas or sevas may have charges set by the temple, and nearby sights like Yana or the waterfalls may levy small parking or entry fees. Confirm any seva cost at the temple office on arrival.
What can I combine with a Sirsi trip?
Combine Sirsi with Yana’s limestone monoliths (about 40 km), Unchalli Falls (about 30–35 km), the Sahasralinga carvings (about 14 km) and Banavasi’s Kadamba temple (about 24 km). Coastal Kumta and Gokarna, around 62 km away, pair well for a plateau-to-coast loop over two or three days.
Last updated and sources
Sirsi suits pilgrims drawn to the Marikamba shrine and travellers who want the quiet, green Malnad countryside around it. Visit between October and February for the best weather, and time any jatra trip to the biennial fair after confirming the year and dates.
Last updated: 5 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Karnataka Tourism — Sirsi experience; Karnataka Tourism — Unchalli Falls; Karnataka Tourism — Yana; Wikipedia — Sirsi Marikamba Temple; Wikipedia — Sirsi, Karnataka; Wikipedia — Hubli Airport. Accessed October 2026.
