Plan your sacred journey to the Grand Temples of South India
Coastal Karnataka Temples Tour
Kateel, Dharmasthala, Kukke Subramanya, Udupi, Kollur and Murudeshwar along the Karnataka coast and the Western Ghats, with Gokarna as an option.
- Karnataka Coast
- Suitable for 4–5 Days
- Dress Customs
- Family Friendly
About Coastal Karnataka Temples Tour
The temple belt along the Karnataka coast and the foot of the Western Ghats, from Kateel and Dharmasthala near Mangaluru to Kukke Subramanya, Udupi, Kollur and Murudeshwar, with Gokarna as an optional northern extension. Allow four days, or five with Gokarna.
The coastal Karnataka temples are close enough to link in four days from Mangaluru. Kukke is where devotees come for Sarpa dosha rituals, Udupi’s Krishna temple is run in turn by eight mutts, and Murudeshwar’s tall Shiva statue faces the sea. Several temples ask men to enter without a shirt.
Temples on this Tour (7)
- 1
View DetailsKateel Durgaparameshwari Temple
Durga on a river island
Kateel
Start near Mangaluru airport at the river-island Durga temple.
- 2
View DetailsDharmasthala Manjunatha Temple
Shiva as Manjunatha
Dharmasthala
Continue inland to Manjunatha at Dharmasthala.
- 3
View DetailsKukke Subramanya Temple
Subramanya; Sarpa dosha rituals
Subrahmanya
Give Kukke an early morning.
- 4
View DetailsUdupi Sri Krishna Temple
Krishna
Udupi
Spend a day at the Krishna temple and its eight mutts.
- 5
View DetailsKollur Mookambika Temple
Devi Mookambika
Kollur
Head north to the Devi temple at the foot of Kodachadri.
- 6View Details
Murudeshwar Temple
Shiva by the sea
Murudeshwar
End the day at the seaside Shiva temple.
- 7
View DetailsGokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple
Shiva as the Atmalinga (optional)
Gokarna
Optional: continue north to Gokarna.
Route Map
Tour Highlights
- Murudeshwar
- Udupi Sri Krishna
- Kukke Subramanya
- Kollur Mookambika
5-Day Route
The route moves between Dharmasthala, Udupi, Murudeshwar, staying near each day's temples. Allow 4 to 5 days for the 7 temples, plus travel to the first stop and home from the last.
Day 1 · stay in Dharmasthala
- Kateel Durgaparameshwari TempleDurga on a river islandOpen 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Dharmasthala Manjunatha TempleShiva as ManjunathaOpen 6:30 AM – 8:30 PM, with breaks
Day 2 · stay in Udupi
- Kukke Subramanya TempleSubramanya; Sarpa dosha ritualsOpen 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM, with breaks
Day 3 · stay in Udupi
- Udupi Sri Krishna TempleKrishnaOpen 4:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Day 4 · stay in Murudeshwar
- Kollur Mookambika TempleDevi MookambikaOpen 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Murudeshwar TempleShiva by the seaOpen 6:00 AM – 8:30 PM, with breaks
Day 5 · stay in Murudeshwar
- Gokarna Mahabaleshwar TempleShiva as the Atmalinga (optional)Open 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM, with breaks
This order follows the road from Mangaluru airport; it is not a traditional sequence. At Gokarna, by custom, pilgrims visit Maha Ganapati before the Mahabaleshwar temple.
Customs, rules and beliefs
Season (October-March): Karnataka Tourism gives October to March as the best season for Udupi, with October to February as the peak.
- DressAt Dharmasthala men remove shirt and vest before the sanctum; men in shorts and women in nighties are not let in for darshan. Bags and mobile phones are not allowed inside.
- DressFrom 19 January 2026 the Paryaya Shiruru Mutt requires men to remove shirts before the inner temple all day at Udupi, not only at the morning Mahapuja. Jeans, T-shirts, sleeveless and short outfits are refused for everyone.
- DressAt Gokarna men wear a dhoti or pancha and go bare-chested; women wear a sari or salwar suit. Jeans and shorts are not allowed.
- DressAt Murudeshwar men wear a dhoti or formal trousers and women a sari or churidar with dupatta; shorts, sleeveless tops and torn jeans are banned.
- RitualsAt Gokarna the Maha Ganapati temple is by tradition the first stop, and Hindus believe a bath in the Kotiteertha tank before darshan cleanses sins.
- RitualsSarpa Samskara at Kukke takes two days. Pilgrims bathe in the Kumaradhara river and report at the Adi Subrahmanya hall by 8:30 am on day one; night meals are not taken, and the seva cannot start on Ashtami, Dashami, Ekadashi, eclipses, Shivaratri or during the annual festival.
- RitualsOnly devotees who have had Upanayana and Pitru samskara may perform Sarpa Samskara themselves; others ask the temple to arrange it.
- RitualsAt Kateel devotees offer Yakshagana performances to the goddess; the temple has six troupes that can be booked to perform.
- RitualsKerala families bring young children to Kollur for Vidyarambha on Vijayadashami. Kollur follows its own calendar, so its date can differ from Kerala's by a day.
- Good to knowAt Udupi devotees also view Krishna through the Kanakana Kindi window, linked to the saint Kanakadasa. Management passes to the next of the eight mutts every two years at the Paryaya.
- Good to knowDharmasthala holds Laksha Deepotsava, the lighting of one lakh lamps, in November to December.
- Queues and darshanKarnataka Tourism advises booking the popular Kukke rituals in advance on the temple's own booking, and warns of heavy crowds on Ashlesha Bali days.
What devotees believe
- Kukke Subramanya is where devotees go for Ashlesha Bali, a puja seeking protection from serpents, and Sarpa Dosha Parihara, believed to lift the curse of the snake god. These are customs of devotees, not promised outcomes.
- Gokarna's Atmalinga is held to be Shiva's own soul in stone, so its darshan is regarded as seeing the Lord himself.
- Kukke is believed to bring relief from Naga (serpent) dosha; Ashlesha Bali is held on the Ashlesha star each month and Sarpa Samskara is performed for sarpa dosha.
These are traditions and beliefs, described as devotees hold them. The temples set their own rituals and fees.
Sources: karnatakatourism.org, shridharmasthala.org, newskarnataka.com, karnatakatourism.org, karnatakatourism.org, hindupad.com, en.wikipedia.org, onmanorama.com, karnatakatourism.org, karnatakatourism.org, karnatakatourism.org, karnatakatourism.org · checked 23 Oct 2026
Optional stops nearby
Bird sanctuaries, dams, parks and falls near this tour's temples. They are optional: the route and cost above do not include them. Distances are straight-line from the nearest temple.
- BeachMalpe BeachAbout 10 km from Udupi Sri Krishna Temple
A busy beach near Udupi with a sea walk, water sports and the jetty for boats to St Mary's Island.
- Hours
- Beach 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily; water activities 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM; sea walk floating bridge 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Entry
- Main beach free; sea walk about Rs 20 per person
- Best season
- October to January; February and March are quieter
- Closed
- The monsoon, June to September, brings heavy rain and rough seas.
- For families
- Karnataka Tourism puts it 6 km from Udupi. Swim only in the marked areas near the shore. Banana boat rides need a minimum age of 10, and parasailing is for ages 12 to 45.
- BeachSt Mary's IslandAbout 10 km from Udupi Sri Krishna Temple
Small uninhabited islands off Malpe, known for columns of hexagonal basalt rock. Boats leave from the Malpe jetty and sea walk.
- Hours
- Ferries run about every 20 minutes from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM in season.
- Entry
- Ferry about Rs 400 to Rs 600 per person, round trip (approximate, per Karnataka Tourism)
- Best season
- November to February
- Closed
- Boats are suspended for the monsoon, from mid-May or June to September.
- For families
- The boat ride is about 30 minutes each way. Boats sail weather permitting, so keep a spare half day.
- Hill viewKudremukh National ParkAbout 23 km from Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple
Grassy Western Ghats hills and shola forest around the horse-face peak, with waterfalls such as Hanuman Gundi nearby.
- Best season
- October to March
- Closed
- Heavy monsoon rain; best avoided from June to August.
- For families
- The peak trek is challenging and needs forest department permission and a guide, so it is not for elders or small children. A scenic drive through the hills suits families better.
- WaterfallJog FallsAbout 39 km from Murudeshwar Temple
The Sharavathi river drops in four cascades, named Raja, Rani, Rocket and Roarer. Viewing decks near the main entrance look straight across the gorge.
- Hours
- 7:30 AM to 9:30 PM daily; each entry is limited to 2 hours
- Entry
- Indians Rs 20; students 6 to 16 Rs 10; foreign nationals Rs 100 (parking and camera extra)
- Best season
- August to December; October to December is ideal, with all four cascades flowing.
- Closed
- The path to the base is usually restricted from July to September and can be shut at other times for safety. The main entrance was closed from 1 January to 15 March 2025 for development works.
- For families
- The main viewing deck is the easiest spot for elders and children. The base trek is about 1,400 steep steps, 45 to 60 minutes each way, and paths get slippery.
Sources: karnatakatourism.org, karnatakatourism.org, karnatakatourism.org · checked 23 Oct 2026
Getting to Dharmasthala
Mangaluru is about 16 km from Kateel and 75 km from Dharmasthala for day 1, and about 165 km from Murudeshwar at the end. Travellers who start at Gokarna should fly into Goa Dabolim (GOI), about 149 km from Gokarna, and run the tour south.
By air
- Mangaluru International Airport (IXE)about 75 km, about 1 hr 15 min to 1 hr 45 min by road
- Mangaluru International Airport (IXE)about 60 km to Udupi, about 1 hr to 1 hr 15 min by road
- Mangaluru International Airport (IXE)about 165 km to Murudeshwar, about 3 to 4 hr by road
- Goa Dabolim International Airport (GOI)about 207 km to Murudeshwar, about 3 hr 30 min to 4 hr 30 min by road
- Manohar International Airport, Mopa (GOX)about 3 hr to Gokarna by road
By train
- Mangaluru Central (MAQ)The city-centre station; Mangaluru Junction (MAJN, at Kankanady) is about 5 km out, per the district site. 7 trains are listed from Bengaluru, the fastest about 9 hr 35 min (16511 overnight, 16515). Kateel is about 18 km from the Mangaluru station.
- Subrahmanya Road (SBHR)Karnataka Tourism puts it about 12 km from Kukke Subramanya. 6 trains are listed from Bengaluru, taking about 6 hr 30 min to 7 hr 20 min (16595 the quickest).
- Udupi (UD)About 3 km from the Krishna Mutt per Karnataka Tourism. 38 trains are listed from Mangaluru Central, most taking 1 hr 15 min to 1 hr 45 min.
- Mookambika Road Byndoor (BYNR)Karnataka Tourism names it the nearest station to Kollur, about 30 km away. 24 trains are listed from Udupi, most taking about 45 min to 1 hr 10 min.
- Murdeshwar (MRDW)Murudeshwar has its own Konkan Railway station. 15 trains are listed from Udupi, most taking about 1 hr 20 min to 1 hr 35 min.
- Gokarna Road (GOK)About 10 km from Gokarna town per Karnataka Tourism, which says Ankola (20 km) and Kumta (31 km) get more trains. 9 trains are listed from Murdeshwar, taking about 50 min to 1 hr 10 min.
By road
- From Bengaluruabout 311 km, about 6 to 7 hr
- Bengaluru to Mangaluruabout 361 km, about 7 to 8 hr
- Mangaluru to Dharmasthalaabout 75 km, about 1 hr 15 min to 1 hr 45 min
- Dharmasthala to Udupivia Kukke Subramanya: about 55 km to Kukke, then about 156 km on to Udupi
- Udupi to Murudeshwarvia Kollur: about 74 km to Kollur, then about 61 km to Murudeshwar, both without stops
- Murudeshwar to Gokarnaabout 80 km, about 1 hr 30 min to 2 hr
Sources: karnatakatourism.org, karnatakatourism.org, karnatakatourism.org, router.project-osrm.org, karnatakatourism.org, erail.in, erail.in, erail.in, erail.in, erail.in, erail.in, router.project-osrm.org, router.project-osrm.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Questions Visitors Ask
How many days do the coastal Karnataka temples take?
Plan four days, or five with Gokarna. The state tourism corporation's tour links Kollur, Murudeshwar, Udupi, Kateel, Dharmasthala and Kukke in three touring days with overnight buses; a two-day Sarpa Samskara at Kukke adds time.
Which airport is closest?
Mangaluru International Airport, about 16 km from Kateel and about 60 km from Udupi.
Do men have to remove their shirts?
At Dharmasthala and Udupi men enter without a shirt or vest, and Gokarna expects men in a dhoti with a bare chest. Check each temple's notice at the entrance.
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Partial Trip Estimate
₹ 36,630
for 4 people (4 Days)
≈ ₹ 9,158 per person for the trip
Flight fare for this route needs a quote. This is a partial total.
- 1 × AC sedan with driver₹16,4001 × (1,000 billed km × ₹14 + 4 days × ₹600 driver). Up to 4 passengers per vehicle, driver separate. AC; fuel budgeted within the per-km hire, inclusions to confirm. Minimum 250 km/day; route 605 km. Chennai operator example; pickup in your region to confirm. Rate source
- 3 nights · 2 rooms₹13,8303 nights × 2 rooms × ₹2,305/night. Two people per room, rounded up. Hotel Raya’s Standard AC, Kumbakonam published reference including tax; availability elsewhere to confirm. Rate source
- Simple local meals · all travellers₹6,4004 days × 4 people × ₹400/day. Planning allowance.
- Flight fare for this route needs a quote
- Tolls, parking and personal spending
- Home/station transfers, travel-day meals and extra nights
- Permits, garage/pickup kilometres, driver accommodation and operator taxes, if charged
Assumptions & what changes this estimate
References checked 19 October 2026. Rooms use the linked hotel’s published examples. Meals, fuel, bus and train are budgeting allowances. Bus/train costs use approximate distance, not ticket searches or confirmed classes. Flight examples are economy fares; Luxury upgrades your stay and local vehicle, not your flight cabin. Cab and rental examples need confirmation for your arrival region.
Basic sets rooms, meals and hired vehicle class. Own-vehicle fuel and economy return fares do not change with the stay tier. Dates do not fetch live prices.
Hotel references are Kumbakonam examples, including the published tax, used as a budget across the trip. They are not confirmed rooms in every town. Meals and fuel are planning allowances. All travellers use the same allowance; no child discount is assumed.
Cab minimums and room sharing mean some changes can leave a line unchanged. Travel quotes entered by you are fixed group totals. Prices and availability must be confirmed before booking.