Hi, I’m Sahana Kini, a travel enthusiast and HR professional from Mangalore, Karnataka. Although I live abroad, I visit my hometown twice a year or more frequently as needed. During my recent visit to Ganesh Chaturthi in September 2023, I finally had the chance to explore a lesser-known Shiva temple that is 35 kilometers away from Mangalore as my mom talked a lot about it.
Mangalore City or Bantwal is the closest stay to Sri Karinjeshwara Temple however, a day trip from Mangalore is good enough. The temple is located on a hilltop, and I was amazed by its beauty. The highlight was climbing 600 steps to reach the main temple gate, which made the experience even more thrilling.
Took a private bus at 7 am, a 2-hour journey to the temple entrance. Hired an auto rickshaw to reach the temple from Bantwal. Climbed 600 steps on a rainy day to reach the Shiva temple entrance.
Approximately 1500 INR for transportation (Bus + auto rickshaw) + 150 INR for breakfast which I had at Bantwal on the way back.
Journeying into the Divine Sri Karinjeshwara Temple
The Sri Karinjeshwara Temple holds immense historical importance. It is believed to have been built around 900 AD and has stood as a symbol of religious devotion throughout the centuries.
History of Sri Karinjeshwara Temple :
The pond known as “Gadha Theertha” is thought to have formed when Bhima threw his mace upon the ground. Moreover, Bhima made ‘Angushta Theertha’ with his thumb, and ‘Janu Theertha,’ another pond, appeared when he knelt on the ground.
Height of Karinjeshwara Temple?
Situated in the middle of a green environment, the Karinjeshwara temple is around 1000 meters above sea level. People flock to Karinja Cliff, a well-liked tourist destination, to take in the lush greenery and clean air.
Here, a temple honoring Lord Shiva is perched on a cliff, while a second temple, honoring the goddess Parvathi, is located midway up the rock face. In the middle of a mountain, these two temples draw a lot of devotees and lush greenery.
Timings to Visit Sri Karinjeshwara Temple
- Morning: 09:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Mahapooja at 12:00 PM
- Evening: 06:00 PM – 07:00 PM
Detail Address:
- Mahathobahara Sri Karinjeshwara Temple, Kavalamudoor Village, Karinja Post, Bantwal Taluk, Dakshina Kannada District, Karnataka.
- For more Details: Tel No: 91 08255 285255, Email: karinjeshwaratemple@gmail.com.
Ways to reach to Sri Karinjeshwara Temple
- By Air: You can fly into Mangalore International Airport, which is located 20 km away from the temple.
- By Taxi: You can hire a taxi from Mangalore directly to the temple complex. This option will cost you around 2200 INR and the temple is located 35 km away from Mangalore.
- By Train: You can take a train to Bantwal Railway at BC Road, which is 15.6 km away from the temple.
- By Bus: You can take a bus on the Bantwal – Dharmasthala state highway, which is 15 km away from the temple.
- Take the private bus from Mangalore’s main bus station to Bantwal bus station for 300 INR. Then, hire an auto rickshaw or taxi for around 600 INR to reach the temple entrance in approximately 25 minutes (11 km away).
- Take a government bus from Mangalore KSRTC Lal Bagh to Bantwal bus station. Then, hire an auto rickshaw or taxi for around 600 INR to reach the temple entrance. The journey to the temple complex takes about 25 minutes.
Necessary things to pack:
- Water and some snacks as nothing is available around the temple site.
Tip for the traveler:
- Visit the temple during the morning hours for a beautiful view from the hilltop, lush green, and great atmosphere. The edge of the viewing point is steep so please be CAUTIOUS.
- Devotees can also donate offerings to the Sri Karinjeshwara Temple in the form of cash, grains, rice, coconut, or any other items to the Sri Karinjeshwara Temple office and obtain the receipt for the same.
Festival celebrated at Karinjeshwara Temple :
The festival at Sri Karinjeshwara Temple known as Shivaratri is a highly significant event. It involves intricate poojas being performed and draws numerous devotees from neighboring regions. This joyous celebration spans four consecutive days.
You can also visit the Shree Parvati Temple. It is open in the morning from 09:30 AM to 12:30 PM, with a Mahapooja at 12:30 PM. It reopens in the evening from 07:00 PM to 07:30 PM for devotees.
With its aura ready to imprint itself into your vacation memories, Sri Karinjeshwara Temple invites those seeking a combination of adventure, spirituality, and the splendor of nature. The rainy season has the best views dewy, misty, and magical.
For more travel tales and wanderlust vibes, follow me on Instagram @sahana_thewanderlust. Until the next adventure unfolds, happy travels! 🌍✨Wander through a collection of travel fables at https://sowl.in/stories for your wanderlust fix.
