Anegudde Shree Vinayaka Ganapathi Temple, Anegudde, Karnataka

On a low hill near Kumbashi in coastal Karnataka, Anegudde enshrines Ganesha in a rare standing four-armed form. One of the seven Mukti Sthalas of Parashurama Kshetra, it draws pilgrims who climb to seek the removal of obstacles, prosperity and liberation, and who share in the temple's free midday meal.

Anegudde means 'elephant hillock' — the hill where the elephant-headed Ganesha is said to dwell — and the temple at its summit is reached by a short climb that is itself part of the visit. It stands near Kumbashi village in coastal Karnataka, within the cultural sphere known as Parashurama Kshetra, and is counted among its seven Mukti Sthalas, the places of liberation.

The deity here is unusual. Rather than the seated Ganesha familiar elsewhere, Anegudde's Vinayaka stands, four-armed and clad in silver armour, one hand raised in the Varada Hasta that bestows boons. Pilgrims come to pray for the clearing of obstacles before new undertakings — a marriage, a venture, a journey — and the Mukti Sthala status frames the visit as a step toward spiritual liberation as much as worldly help.

The temple's name and origin reach back to a legend of the sage Agastya and the slaying of the demon Kumbhasura (told in full below). Today it is a busy, fully functioning pilgrimage temple, with daily worship and the free midday Anna Prasadam open to all who come.

During a drought, the sage Agastya performed penance to propitiate Varuna, the rain-god, but the demon Kumbhasura disrupted the assembled sages. Ganesha gave the Pandava Bhima a divine sword — the Asi — with which he slew the demon, after which the place became known as Kumbhasi (from kumbha, pot, and asi, sword). The name Anegudde itself derives from aane (elephant) and gudde (hillock), naming the hill as the seat of the elephant-headed deity. The temple is traditionally attributed to the 8th century under the Alupa kings, though firm epigraphic confirmation is limited.

Hinduism in its Ganapatya / Smarta Ganesha-worship strand, within the Parashurama Kshetra cultural sphere of coastal Karnataka and its seven Mukti Sthalas.

The thinness of Anegudde gathers around the hill itself, the rare standing Ganesha at its summit, and the temple's status as one of seven Mukti Sthalas — places held to grant liberation. The short ascent functions as a small pilgrimage, a setting-aside of the ordinary before reaching the shrine, and gives the climb a quiet purpose. Pilgrims come at thresholds in their own lives, before new undertakings, and the place carries a generous, communal warmth.

A Ganesha temple on a sacred hillock, venerated as one of the seven Mukti Sthalas of Parashurama Kshetra and tied by legend to the slaying of the demon Kumbhasura.

Traditionally attributed to the 8th century under the Alupa kings — an attribution that rests on tradition rather than firm epigraphy — and rooted in legend reaching back to the Mahabharata era, the temple is today a busy, fully functioning pilgrimage centre maintained by its administration.

Daily abhisheka and poojas; Sankashta Chaturthi pooja on the fourth day after each full moon; Tulabharam, the offering of goods equal to a devotee's own weight; and Ganesh Chaturthi as the principal festival.

Booked sevas such as the Satya Ganapathi Vratha and Maha Rangapooja, daily darshan, and free Anna Prasadam served around 11 AM–12:30 PM.

Treat the climb as part of the prayer — a small ascent before asking for whatever obstacle you wish cleared. Booking a seva at the counter is a way to participate, and staying for the free midday meal is a gentle way to share in the temple's communal life.

Pilgrims describe the short climb to the hilltop shrine, the striking standing Ganesha in his silver armour, and the welcoming free Anna Prasadam served around midday. The ascent itself sets the tone — a brief, deliberate effort before darshan — and the place is busy without being overwhelming outside festival days. Many come at turning points in their own lives, and the visit carries a quiet sense of moving toward liberation. The festival days draw the largest gatherings.

The temple sits atop a hillock near Kumbashi village; the dress, footwear and photography norms are noted under etiquette. Sevas can be booked at the counter, and the free meal is served roughly 11 AM–12:30 PM.

Anegudde is held in tradition as a place of liberation and obstacle-removal, with its early history resting more on legend than on documentation.

A coastal-Karnataka Ganesha temple of considerable antiquity, popularly attributed to the Alupa period, within the Parashurama Kshetra cultural sphere; firm epigraphic dating is limited in accessible sources.

Devotees regard it as one of seven Mukti Sthalas where Ganesha aided Bhima against Kumbhasura, granting both boons and liberation.

The standing four-armed Ganesha, with the raised Varada Hasta and downward-pointing hands, is read as simultaneously bestowing boons and pointing toward salvation.

The precise founding date and the historical layers beneath the legendary Agastya–Bhima narrative remain undocumented; the 8th-century Alupa attribution is traditional rather than epigraphically confirmed.

Kumbashi/Anegudde village, about 9 km south of Kundapura and about 30 km from Udupi, in Udupi District, Karnataka; direct buses run from Udupi, Mangalore and Kundapura.

Lodging is available in Kundapura nearby and more widely in Udupi, both within easy reach.

Dress conservatively, remove footwear, refrain from photography inside, and wear comfortable footwear for the climb.

Traditional, clean, conservative attire; dhoti for men, saree or salwar-kameez for women.

Generally not allowed inside the temple premises.

Sevas, poojas and Tulabharam offerings; flowers and devotional items.

Footwear removed; modest dress; comfortable footwear advised for the hill climb.

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Sacred places within a half-day’s reach. Pilgrims often visit them together: walk one, stay for the other.

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Belur Chennakeshava Temple, Karnataka

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Chandramouleshwara Temple, Hubli, Karnataka

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Sources consulted when researching this page. Independent verification by readers is welcome.

1. 01Anegudde Sri Vinayaka Temple — Official Website — Anegudde Sri Vinayaka Temple administrationhigh-reliability
2. 02Anegudde Sri Vinayaka Temple History — Origin & Temple Story — Anegudde Sri Vinayaka Temple administrationhigh-reliability
3. 03Kumbashi / Anegudde — Wikipedia — Wikipedia contributorshigh-reliability
4. 04Anegudde — Anegudde Siddhi Vinayaka Temple — Mukthi-Sthala — Karnataka.com
5. 05Anegudde Vinayaka Temple, Udupi — Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan — Trawell.in
6. 06Anegudde Vinayaka Temple Timings — Opening, Closing, Darshan, Pooja — GoTirupati