Kunjarugiri

Kunjarugiri is a small and beautiful hill located near Kurakalu village in Udupi district. The Kunjarugiri is located at a distance of 10 Km from Udupi.

It is called as Kunjaragiri because from a distance it looks like an elephant. The Kunjarugiri is also called as Durgabetta because an ancient temple dedicated to goddess Durga is situated on top of the hill.
The Durga temple on the top of Vimanagiri amidst the lush green groves of hilly serenity is the main attraction of Kunjarugiri. The temple is in very peaceful location, its antiquity and the divinity of the magnificent idol of the Goddess, at once creates a memorable feeling of long lasting devotion and godliness in the minds of the devotees.

It is believed that this temple have built by Parashurama in honour of the divine mother Adi shakti. The temple is square in plan built of stone in coastal sloping roof style. Local people call goddess as Kunjaru Amma.

The temple has a Garbhagriha, Vestibule hall and Mukhamantapa. The Goddess Durga in Garbhagriha is seen to be holding Mahishasura on the edge of her trident.

According to Sudhanva Vijaya (written by Narayana Pandithacharya) and Theertha Prabandha (Vadiraja Theertha), Goddess Durga of Kunjaru played a most important part in the killing of Demon Kamsa and made easier for Lord Krishna in his task of protecting the world from evil forces. In support of this myth, we see her holding Shankha, Chakra, Bow and trident in her hands.

Sri Madhwacharya, the founder of the Dvaita school of philosophy has spent his childhood days with utmost devotion towards the Supreme Goddess.

Pooja Timings:

Maha Pooja: 11 AM
Night/Rathri Pooja: 7.30 PM

Annual Festivals: Annual festivals are celebrated with great devotion and fervor according to the time - honored customs. Sharannavaratri is the important festival celebrated here. Navadurga Kalpoktha Puja is performed during the days of Navaratri. Many people visit this temple visit this temple during Navaratri and offer their prayer at the feet of the Goddess.

The Rathotsava (Annual car festival) is held in a grand scale with devotion on Maagha shuddha Poornima day. Before that, Dhwajaarohanam is done on the Maagha shuddha Trayodashi day.

Best time to visit: Any time but avoid monsoon because it rains heavily here.

Nearby attraction: To the south of Kunjarugiri, there is another smaller hillock and there is a temple of Lord Parashurama.

The Pajaka Kshetra, the birthplace of Sri Madhwacharya is nearby.

Distance from Kunjarugiri:

Bangalore: 403 Km
Mysore: 306 Km
Mangalore: 53 Km
Shimoga: 150 Km
Chikmagalur: 170 Km
Udupi: 10 Km
Katapadi: 5 Km
Manipal: 17 Km
Kundapur: 48 Km
Karkala: 31 Km
Mulki: 30 Km

How to get there:

Nearest Airport: Mangalore International Airport

Nearest Railway Station: Udupi

Road: Kunjarugiri well connected by road network. One can reach the top of the hill either by steps (a hundred or so) or by road.

Route map to reach Kunjarugiri:

From Bangalore: via Nelamangala - Hassan - Sakaleshpura - Mangalore - Mulki - Katapadi

From Mysore: via Hunsur - Kushalanagar - Madikeri - Sulya - Puttur - Mangalore - Mulki - Katapadi

From Mangalore: via Surathkal - Mulki - Katapadi (NH-17)

From Udupi: 10 Km via Katapadi

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