Ertiga / Carens
👥 5–6🧳 3 bags
Family with elderly parents; 2–3 day circuits
Tour Overview
The most-booked Karnataka temple trail from Bangalore — Kukke Subramanya for Sarpa Samskara, Dharmasthala's Manjunatha, Horanadu and the Sringeri Sharada Peetham.
Kukke SubramanyaDharmasthala ManjunathaHoranadu AnnapoorneshwariSringeri Sharada PeethamBelur Chennakesava
📍 Speciality & significance
Kukke Subramanya, on the edge of the Western Ghats, is the premier shrine for Sarpa Samskara and Naga Dosha remedies, drawing devotees from across India. Dharmasthala's Manjunatha temple is famed for its ethos of dharma and its mass annadana (free meals), administered by the Heggade family for centuries.
Sringeri's Sharada Peetham, established by Adi Shankaracharya on the banks of the Tunga, is one of the four cardinal mathas of Advaita Vedanta; with Horanadu's Annapoorneshwari and the Hoysala jewel of Belur, this is a circuit of remedy, hospitality and heritage in the Malnad hills.
🛕 Kukke Sri Subramanya Temple
Set in a lush valley of the Western Ghats near the Kumaradhara river, Kukke Subramanya is dedicated to Lord Subramanya, worshipped here in close association with the serpent king Vasuki. The temple is one of the most important shrines for serpent worship in the region, and is traditionally sought by devotees seeking relief from Sarpa Dosha and Kala Sarpa Dosha. The verdant hill setting, backed by the Kumara Parvata peak, lends the kshetra a deeply serene atmosphere.
Pilgrims commonly perform serpent-related rituals and take darshan of the deity, often passing behind the sanctum in a customary observance. Shashti and other festivals draw large gatherings. Traditional attire is expected, with men often worshipping bare-chested. The main temple area is broadly level and manageable for elders, while the Kumara Parvata trek is for the able-bodied only. The cooler, drier months are most pleasant, and Dharmasthala and Subrahmanya's hill trails are convenient add-ons.
🛕 Dharmasthala Sri Manjunatha Temple
Dharmasthala is a unique kshetra on the banks of the Netravati river where Lord Shiva as Manjunatha is enshrined, with the temple administered for centuries by the Heggade family in a tradition blending Shaiva worship, Jain guardianship and Vaishnava priesthood. Renowned for its ethos of dharma, charity and justice, the town also hosts the towering Bahubali statue at Ratnagiri hill. The temple is celebrated for its vast free feeding and its emphasis on righteous conduct.
Pilgrims take darshan of Manjunatha and often partake of the community meal served to all visitors. The annual Laksha Deepotsava, a festival of lights, is a major draw. A strict, traditional dress code is observed, with men worshipping bare-chested and modest clothing expected of all. Facilities for pilgrims, including accommodation, are well organised, and the main areas are elderly-friendly. Cooler months are pleasant, and the Manjusha museum and Bahubali statue are worthwhile add-ons.
🛕 Horanadu Sri Annapoorneshwari Temple
Located in a remote, forested part of the Chikkamagaluru district on the banks of the Bhadra river, Horanadu enshrines the Goddess as Annapoorneshwari, the divine giver of food and nourishment. The presiding deity is depicted in a standing, richly adorned golden form. Traditionally the temple has been a haven for pilgrims travelling through the Malnad hills, and it is especially revered for the belief that no devotee should leave the kshetra without partaking of a meal.
Devotees come for darshan of the golden goddess and to receive her blessings for sustenance and prosperity, with free meals offered to all visitors as a hallmark of the shrine. Traditional attire is expected. The temple is set amid greenery with well-kept pilgrim facilities, and the main areas are manageable for elders. The post-monsoon and winter months are most pleasant, and Sringeri and the coffee-country landscapes of Chikkamagaluru make natural add-ons.
🛕 Sringeri Sri Sharada Peetham
On the banks of the Tunga river, Sringeri is traditionally revered as the first of the four cardinal mathas established by Adi Shankaracharya, and is a pre-eminent seat of Advaita Vedanta. Its Sharadamba temple is dedicated to the Goddess of learning, Sharada, and the older Vidyashankara temple is admired for its remarkable architecture blending Hoysala and Vijayanagara styles. The town remains a living centre of Sanskrit scholarship and spiritual guidance under its line of pontiffs.
Pilgrims come for darshan of Goddess Sharada and to seek blessings for knowledge, and many feed the tame fish in the sacred Tunga. Navaratri is celebrated with special grandeur. Traditional attire is expected. The riverside complex is largely level and comfortable for elders. The cooler months are pleasant for visits, and the temple's forest surroundings, along with Horanadu and coffee-estate country, make appealing add-ons for a Malnad circuit.
🛕 Belur Sri Chennakeshava Temple
Belur's Chennakeshava temple, on the banks of the Yagachi river, is a masterpiece of Hoysala architecture commissioned in the 12th century by King Vishnuvardhana. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Chennakeshava, the handsome one, it is celebrated for its intricate soapstone carvings, ornate bracket figures and finely detailed friezes depicting epics and daily life. Still an active place of worship, it stands among the finest examples of medieval South Indian temple art and is proposed for World Heritage recognition.
Visitors come both as devotees for darshan and as admirers of its extraordinary sculpture, ideally with a guide to appreciate the carvings. The temple hosts periodic festivals and processions. Modest attire is appropriate. The complex is largely at ground level and comfortable for elders, though the detailing rewards unhurried exploration. Cooler, drier months suit visits best, and the nearby Hoysaleswara temple at Halebidu is an essential add-on for those touring Hoysala heritage.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Bengaluru → Kukke Subramanya
Sarpa Samskara / Naga Dosha worship at Kukke.
Day 2: → Dharmasthala → Horanadu
Manjunatha darshan and annadana; Horanadu Annapoorneshwari.
Day 3: → Sringeri → Belur → return
Sringeri Sharada Peetham and the Hoysala Chennakesava at Belur, then return.
Vehicles for this yatra
Recommended for this circuit — we finalise by your group size and luggage.
Satvik / pure-veg stopover friendlyTemple-timing & dress-code aware driversAll-inclusive tolls, parking & permitsRegional-language drivers (Tamil / Kannada / Telugu / Hindi)
Frequently asked questions
Which temples does the Kukke · Dharmasthala · Sringeri Circuit cover?
The Kukke · Dharmasthala · Sringeri Circuit covers Kukke Subramanya, Dharmasthala Manjunatha, Horanadu Annapoorneshwari, Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Belur Chennakesava, driven from Bengaluru / Mangaluru over 3 Days / 2 Nights.
How do I travel for the Kukke · Dharmasthala · Sringeri Circuit?
This is a direct road trip — a SARA CAB chauffeur-driven vehicle departs from Bengaluru and runs the entire circuit.
Which vehicle is best for the Kukke · Dharmasthala · Sringeri Circuit?
We recommend Ertiga / Carens, Innova Crysta / Hycross, Tempo Traveller (12–20), chosen by your group size and luggage.
How much does the Kukke · Dharmasthala · Sringeri Circuit cost?
Starting from ₹23,000, with driver allowance, tolls, parking and applicable permits as clear line items. Hotels and darshan tickets are quoted separately.
Starting from
₹23,000
Cab, driver, tolls, parking & permits. Hotels & darshan quoted separately.
Get your yatra fare
Pick your dates and vehicle for an exact cab fare.
Booking just the cab? See Bangalore To Mangalore cab fares · Taxi service in Bengaluru.