Mahaganapathi Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Mangaluru International Airport at Bajpe serves the region as a key aviation hub. It is about 18 km from Mangaluru city centre.

• By train

  Mangaluru's railway stations connect the district along the Konkan coast. Kankanady (Mangaluru Junction) station is 5 km from the city centre.

• By road

  National Highway 48 links Mangaluru with Bengaluru, and National Highway 66 runs along the district coast.

Why devotees come here

Mahaganapathi Temple stands in Southadka, Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka. Maha Ganapathi is honoured out in the open field, with no temple structure around the deity. Southadka is a pilgrimage centre in the district, and the shrine is listed among its places of interest.

Southadka is a pilgrimage centre in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka. The shrine is listed among the places of interest in the district as Southadka Sri Ganapathy Temple. Another name in use is Sawthadka Shri Mahaganapathi Temple.

The shrine is unusual. Maha Ganapathi is worshipped out in the open field, without a garbha gudi or any temple structure. The site is surrounded by greenery. The shrine is open round the clock for offering prayers.

Southadka lies about 3 km from Kokkada in Belthangady taluk. Belthangady is the taluk headquarters and a town panchayat. The wider district stretches along the western coast, anchored by Mangaluru, and is known for the harmonious coexistence of its faiths. Mangaluru, the district headquarters, is 347 km from Bengaluru.

Tips for your visit

• Ask for the temple by the name Southadka Sri Ganapathy Temple, which is the name the district listing uses.
• If that name does not help, ask for Sawthadka Shri Mahaganapathi Temple, another name in use.
• When you ask for directions near Southadka, name Belthangady, the taluk headquarters.

Questions people ask