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Pilgrimage circuit · from Chikmagalur or Udupi
Sringeri, Horanadu & Kollur
Three of Karnataka's most important Shaiva/Devi temples, spread through the green, misty Malnad hill country: Sringeri Sharada Peetham, one of the four cardinal mathas established by Adi Shankaracharya; Horanadu's Annapoorneshwari Temple, known for feeding every visitor regardless of means; and Kollur's Mookambika Temple, one of South India's most visited Devi shrines. The roads between them are as much the experience as the temples themselves — thick forest, coffee estates and river crossings.
Photo: Starstuffseyyon, CC BY-SA 4.0
2–3 days, from Chikmagalur or Udupi, from ₹3,500 per person. Best time: October to February for comfortable travel through the Malnad hill roads. This route also connects naturally to Chikmagalur or the coast.. Suits: Family, Solo, Couple.
The route
| Stop | Leg | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Chikmagalur | Base — bus from Bengaluru (5 h) or Mangaluru (4 h) | ₹400 |
| Sringeri | 90 km, bus or taxi through coffee country | ₹150 |
| Horanadu | 70 km further, via forest roads | ₹120 |
| Kollur | 90 km, descending towards the coast | ₹150 |
| Onward to the coast | Udupi or Murudeshwar, both within 2 hours | ₹150 |
What to book ahead
| Booking | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Vehicle for the route MUST BOOK | This circuit is much easier with a private taxi or your own vehicle — bus connections between the three towns are infrequent and slow. |
| Horanadu's free meals | The temple feeds all visitors as a matter of tradition — no booking needed, just join the queue at meal times. |
| Accommodation in each town | Simple pilgrim lodges exist in all three; book ahead on weekends and festival days. |
Where to stay
Basic pilgrim lodges in Sringeri, Horanadu and Kollur; Chikmagalur or Udupi offer more comfortable options at either end of the route.
Food
Horanadu's temple kitchen feeds everyone who visits, a genuinely moving tradition. Sringeri and Kollur both have simple vegetarian eateries.
Local tip: Hire a car with a driver who knows the Malnad roads — they're scenic but winding, and public transport between these three towns is impractical for a short trip.
Plan your own Sringeri, Horanadu & Kollur trip
Full route, live fares and every booking link in one place.
Open the planner →Costs are indicative ballparks and change with season and demand — always check live fares before you book, and confirm temple booking windows against the official source. Photographs are sourced from Wikimedia Commons, credited above and in full at /credits/. Trip Under features underrated destinations only, is reader-planned, and takes no affiliate commission on any booking link. Pilgrimage bookings are never affiliate links.