Shankaranarayana

Shankaranarayana is a village located on the east of Kundapur in Udupi district. According to the legend Shankaranarayana is considered as one of the sapta kshetras (seven holy places) created by Parashurama.

The uniqueness of Shankaranarayana is that this is one of the rare temples where we can see the confluence of Shankara (Lord Shiva) and Narayana (Lord Vishnu).

The deity of the temple is in the form of two Udbhava lingas that look similar. These naturally formed lingas are one feet below the ground, inside the in the sanctum. The Shankara linga is round in shape and the Narayana Linga is flat.

Legend:
According to the mythology, two demons Kharasura and Rattasura were troubling common people here. Sage Kroda Maharshi performed penance to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu together and prayed them come in the form of Lord Shankaranarayana. Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu satisfied with the penance done by Krodha Maharshi and appeared at this place as Shankaranarayana and assassinated Kharasura and Rattasura. The hilltop where Krodha Maharshi performed penance is named as Kroda Giri.

The other attractions of Shankaranarayana are Koti Theertha and Krodha Guhe. Krodha Guhe is a 6-feet wide cave with a 2-feet wide entrance.

The other deities at Shankaranaraya are:

1. Mahaganapathi
2. Gopalakrishna
3. Panchamukhi Veeranjaneya
4. Paartheshwara
5. Gowri-Lakshmi
6. Belli Shankaranarayana.

Shankaranaraya Jaatre is celebrated with a great devotion for two days every year after Makara Sankranti.

Distance from Shankaranarayana:
Udupi: 35 km

How to get there

Nearest Airport: Mangalore

Nearest Railhead: Kundapur

Roads: Kundapur is well connected by roads.

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