Temple Description

The Shri Idagunji Maha Ganapati Temple, located in Idagunji town in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district, is a revered Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Ganesha. Situated on the west coast of India near Murudeshwara, this temple attracts approximately one million devotees annually. It is part of a group of six renowned Ganesha temples on the western coast, often referred to as the “Ganesha Coast.”

Geographically, Idagunji is a small village positioned near the Sharvathi River, which flows into the Arabian Sea. The village is close to Manki (Mavinakatte) and is approximately 14 km from Honnavara, 65 km from Gokarna, and about 5 km from a road branching off National Highway 17. Honnavara is the capital of the taluk that includes Idagunji, and the nearest railway station is Manki.

The temple’s legend traces back to the Dwapara Yuga when Sage Valakhilya was engaged in intense penance by the Sharavathi River but faced numerous obstacles. Sage Narada, passing by, advised Valakhilya to worship Ganesha to overcome these hurdles. Narada then requested Ganesha’s presence from Shiva and Parvati in Kailasha. Responding to this, Ganesha was sent to bless the sage and the region. Vishwakarama, the divine sculptor, crafted and consecrated a unique statue of Ganesha at Idagunji. Unlike typical depictions, this idol has two tusks and two hands, a granite bell, and lacks the serpent and necklace typically found in Ganesha’s images. The statue is estimated to be over two thousand years old and is revered for its ability to bestow grace upon devotees.

According to the legend, as the end of Dwapara Yuga approached and the onset of Kali Yuga loomed, sages led by Valakhilya faced numerous obstacles in their rituals. Seeking divine intervention, they turned to Ganesha, as advised by Narada. The divine trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva had previously visited the site to vanquish demons, creating sacred lakes like Chakratirtha and Brahmatirtha. Narada, with the sages, established another sacred pond called Devatirtha and invited Ganesha to aid in their rites. Pleased with their devotion, Ganesha agreed to remain at the site, which became known as Idagunji, where a temple was later built around the 4th-5th century CE.