At Idagunji in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, near the Sharavati estuary, stands the Mahaganapati temple, one of the most revered Ganesha shrines of the coastal Kannada land. Here Ganesha is worshipped in a distinctive standing form with two arms, holding a lotus and a modaka — an image of great beauty and antiquity, its origin traced in tradition to the sage Valakhilya at the dawn of the Kali age.
A serene shrine set amid the green of the coastal Ghats, Idagunji draws a steady stream of devotees who come to seek the blessings of the Lord who removes obstacles, especially during Ganesh Chaturthi. Idagunji Mahaganapati is among the most beloved Ganesha temples of coastal Karnataka.
