MHATOBAR SREE MAHAGANAPATHI TEMPLE, IDAGUNJI, KARNATAKA

Idagunji is just 19 kms from Murdeshwar and can be reached in 20 min and the temple also is open from early morning.  Can be approached from Gokarana too and is at a distance of 62 Kms and can be reached in an Hour.  It is part of the Honnavar Taluk of Uttara Karnataka District of Karnataka.  It is believed that the standing posture of the Mahaganapathi vigragha was sculpted by the Visvakarma and consecrated at Idagunji. 

The Mahaganapthi here is in standing posture and very beautiful and has two hands only with a necklace and a pendant hanging around near the belly.  He has the Lotus Bud in his right hand and Modaka in his left hand.

The legend of the temple dates back to the last phase of Dwapara Yuga.  Soon Lord Krishna would have to leave this world and Kali Yuga was approaching and sages started doing Yagna at Badrigashrama.  Sage Valakilya was doing penance at the banks of the River Sharavati for overcoming the effects of approaching Kali Yuga.   He faced many obstacles.  Once Sree Narada passed through this place and the Sage narrated his difficulties and Sree Narada advised to pray Lord Ganapthi to ward off the problems.  Sage requested Narada to help him to bring Ganapthi to the place.  Narada too thought in view of approaching Kali Yuga it would be better to have the presence of Lord Ganapthi here.

At Kailasa, he requested Lord Siva and Parvathy for sending Ganapthi to that area called Kunjavana.  The trinity of gods had already was in this area as troubles existed earlier and blessed this place.  Other sages too joined Valakilya and Kunjavana.    Pleased by the fervent penance of the all the sages in his presence,  Ganapthi helped Sage Valakilya to successfully complete his penance and also decided to remain in that place and the place came to be known as Idagunji. 

A few shops selling Pooja materials and souvenirs are available nearby the temple.  The village with its serene atmosphere presented a beautiful picture in the early morning.

Temple Timings:
06:00 AM to 01:00 PM
03:00 PM to 08:30 PM