Mahaganapati Temple

The Shree Mahaganapati Temple at Idagunji is a prominent Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, located in Idagunji village in Honnavar Taluk of Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka. Situated near the Sharavati River and the west coast, it enshrines a distinctive black stone idol of Ganesha in standing posture. Believed to be ancient and referenced in the Sahyadri Khanda of the Skanda Purana, it is one of the six major Ganesha temples on India's west coast and attracts devotees year-round.

Visitors can expect a traditional South Indian temple complex centered on the sanctum housing the two-armed standing black stone idol of Lord Ganesha. The temple has a simple exterior with tiled roofs and a small gopuram, surrounded by shops selling flowers, coconuts and prasad. Inside, devotees queue for darshan, attend aarti and receive prasad. The surroundings are rural and quiet, near the Sharavati valley, with facilities for dining and accommodation managed by the temple trust.

The temple is believed to be of considerable antiquity, traditionally dated to the 4th-5th century and later renovated. It is mentioned in the Sahyadri Khanda of the Skanda Purana where the legend of Valakhilya sages creating an obstacle-removing Ganesha at Kunjararanya (Idagunji) is narrated. The temple has been patronized by local rulers and remains an important pilgrimage center in coastal Karnataka.

Dedicated to Lord Ganesha as Mahaganapati, the temple is revered as a remover of obstacles and fulfiller of wishes. It is counted among the six prominent Ganesha temples on India's western coast. Daily pujas, abhishekas, and festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Sankashti Chaturthi and Rathotsava draw large numbers of devotees. The temple trust also provides annaprasada and community services.