Sigandur Chowdeshwari Temple

Getting there

• By road

  Sigandur is about 40 km from Sagara town and 8 km from Tumari. The road reaches the village from one side only, via Kollur and Nagodi, and barges carry vehicles and people across the water.

Rules to know

• Taking vehicles near the barge ramp has been barred.

Why devotees come here

Sigandur Chowdeshwari Temple stands in Sigandur village, Shivamogga district, Karnataka. The village is known for the temple, which draws hundreds of visitors each day. Backwaters of the Linganamakki dam surround the village on three sides.

Devotees call the Devi here Sigandureshwari. Legend says Sridharaswamy visited Sigandur and prayed that the Devi would bless devotees in her gentle form. Devotees believe she guards their homes from thieves, and punishes anyone who steals from them.

The Devi shrine was built in the 18th century. Water surrounds the village on three sides, and the road reaches it from one side only. Pilgrims, tourists and local people all cross the water by barge to reach the temple.

Thousands travel to join the Ashada pooja, and special worship is held again in the Shravana month. Crowd control has been weak in the past, and the crowds have caused stampedes and injuries. Reports after one tragedy at Sigandur blamed the lack of a crowd management system, and the rush of devotees during these months is heavy.

Festivals

• Ashada and Shravana monthsAshada and Shravana pooja

  Special pooja and worship draw a heavy rush of devotees. Ashada falls in June to July.

Tips for your visit

• During Ashada and Shravana the barge gets overcrowded.
• Local people and devotees have clashed over boarding during these months.
• Security personnel had to be deployed at Kasalavalli and Ambaragodlu, where the barge is parked.

Questions people ask