Adichunchanagiri

Adichunchanagiri, is a serene hill town in Mandya, its known for its spiritual heritage and natural beauty. Whether you’re seeking peace or an adventure, this place has something for everyone.

Adichunchanagiri is approximately 110 km from Bangalore. If we are traveling in own vehicle we can reach this beautiful place in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, there are buses that operate from major cities in Karnataka.

Adichunchanagiri is a prominent spiritual center. The main attraction is the ‘Sri Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math’, a major religious and educational institution. The Math is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is a place of pilgrimage for many devotees.

Kalabhairaveshwara Temple, is the heart of Adichunchanagiri. It is an architectural marvel with intricate carvings and a peaceful ambiance. Don’t miss the evening aarti (ritual).

Adichunchanagiri is surrounded by lush greenery and hills. The view from the top is breathtaking, especially at sunrise and sunset. There are several walking trails for those who love hiking. But because of the crowd we could not hike the hills. 

The best time to visit is during the cooler months from October to March.  

Kukke Subramanya

After having Darshana at Dharmasthala on the second day, we planned to visit Kukke Subramanya. On our way, we stopped by a couple of other temples.

Surya Narayana Temple (Shri Sadashiva Rudra Temple):

Located in Nada village of Dakshina Kannada, about 12 km from Belthangady taluk and 4 km from Ujire town, the Surya Sadashiva Temple is unique for its tradition of clay offerings, symbolizing human desires. This temple stands out due to its distinctive customs.

Sowthadka Shri Mahaganapati Temple:

Next, we stopped at the Sowthadka Shri Mahaganapati Temple, located 3 km from Kokkada in Belthangady Taluk. This temple is notable for its open-field setting, where Lord Maha Ganapathi is worshipped without a traditional Garbha gudi (sanctum) or temple structure. The temple is surrounded by greenery and is always open for prayers.

Kukke Subramanya Temple:

We then visited the famous Kukke Subramanya Temple, located in the village of Subramanya in Kadaba taluk, Dakshina Kannada. Here, Kartikeya is worshipped as Subramanya, the lord of all serpents.

On our way back, we took the Bisle Ghat route, which provided an amazing ride through dense forests. 

This route offered breathtaking views and was a perfect end to our temple tour.

Travel Tips

Distance from Bengaluru	–	330 Kms
Road Condition	–	Very Good
Nearest Town	–	Subramanya
Fuel Station	–	Subramanya
Near by places to visit	-	Dharmasthala

Dharmasthala

Dharmasthala is one of the most visited pilgrimage destinations in Karnataka. This picturesque town, nestled in the Western Ghats, attracts millions of devotees and travelers seeking spiritual solace and peace every year.

Dharmasthala is well-connected and accessible by various modes of transport. It is approximately 300 kilometers from Bangalore and 75 kilometers from Mangalore. Buses and taxis are readily available from both cities.

Most people and buses take the Hassan - Sakleshpura - Shiradi Ghat route to reach Dharmasthala. However, we took the Charmudi Ghat route. During the monsoon season, this route is quite challenging due to heavy rainfall.

There are plenty of accommodation options in Dharmasthala, but it is advised to book rooms online before arriving, especially during weekends and special days when it can be difficult to find available rooms.

We reached Dharmasthala around 3:00 PM, quickly freshened up, and went for Darshan. It took us about an hour to complete the Darshan. One should not miss the Prasada (Annasantharpana) organized by the temple committee, which offers a free meal to all visitors.

After the Darshan, we felt very pleased and spent some time around the temple. We stayed overnight in Dharmasthala and planned to visit Kukke Subramanya Temple the next morning.

Travel Tips

Distance from Bengaluru	–	300 Kms
Road Condition	–	Very Good
Nearest Town	–	Ujire
Fuel Station	–	Ujire
Near by places to visit	-	Kukke Subramanya