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Temples

Onakodlu Mahalingeshwara Temple

Byndoor Taluk · Udupi District

Tucked away in the densely wooded, green hillocks of the Western Ghats roughly 8 kilometers east of Byndoor, the Ganganadu Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple—locally spoken of as Vanakodlu or Onakodlu temple—is an ancient architectural and spiritual anchor. Dating back centuries with deep historical ties to the Rashtrakutas, Vijayanagara emperors, and the Keladi Nayakas, this sacred precinct merges deep mythological legacy with untamed wilderness. At its heart sits a historic Swayambhu Shivalinga flanked by Lord Ganesha and Goddess Parvati inside the sanctum. A unique feature of the temple is its sacred pond (Pushkarni), traditionally believed to be fed by subterranean streams of the Ganga, creating an atmosphere of deep seclusion and timeless devotion.

Onakodlu Mahalingeshwara Temple, Byndoor

Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple at Onakodlu is a traditional Shiva shrine in the interior part of the Byndoor region. Onakodlu lies close to Ganganadu, in a greener landscape at the foothills of the Western Ghats. The temple is locally associated with Lord Mahalingeshwara, while Ugranarsimha is also worshipped in the Onakodlu area.

A traditional Shiva shrine

The main deity is Sri Mahalingeshwara, a form of Lord Shiva. Like many old village temples of coastal Karnataka, the shrine has a close relationship with the surrounding communities and their traditional religious practices.
The temple is not known for a massive architectural complex. Its importance comes from its local devotional history and its place within the rural religious landscape of Onakodlu and Ganganadu.

Onakodlu and its forest surroundings

Onakodlu is situated away from Byndoor's busy coastal belt. The surrounding area gradually changes into a landscape of forested hills, agricultural land and small rural settlements.
Ganganadu lies nearby and is surrounded by the hill ranges of the Western Ghats. The area has traditionally been home to communities whose livelihoods are closely connected with the forest and agriculture.

This setting gives the temple a distinctly different atmosphere from the larger coastal temples of Byndoor.
Mahalingeshwara and Ugranarsimha traditions
The religious identity of Onakodlu is not limited to Mahalingeshwara. Ugranarsimha is also traditionally worshipped here, reflecting the diverse forms of Hindu worship that have continued in the villages of this region.

For visitors interested in local temple traditions, this combination is worth noting because it shows how individual villages can have several closely connected sacred traditions.

The temple pond

A temple tank associated with Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple is located at Ganganadu–Onakodlu. The tank forms part of the traditional temple landscape and has continued to be associated with the shrine.
The tank has also been the subject of improvement work, reflecting its continuing importance to the local area.

A quieter side of Byndoor

Onakodlu offers a different experience from the better-known destinations around Byndoor. There is no beach, busy tourist promenade or large pilgrimage complex here.
Instead, visitors encounter a small village shrine surrounded by the greenery of the Western Ghats foothills. The journey itself provides a glimpse into the rural interior of Byndoor, where farming, forest and temple traditions remain closely connected.

Why visit Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple?

The temple is particularly interesting for visitors who want to explore the lesser-known religious heritage of Byndoor.
Its appeal comes from:
Worship of Sri Mahalingeshwara
The local Ugranarsimha tradition
The temple tank
The rural landscape around Onakodlu and Ganganadu
Proximity to the forested foothills of the Western Ghats
Its connection with the traditional religious life of the local community.

The character of Onakodlu

A visit to Onakodlu is less about seeing a spectacular monument and more about experiencing a quiet part of the Byndoor countryside.
The surrounding hills and forest give the area a peaceful atmosphere, while the temple remains an important place of worship for the local community. For travellers exploring the interior villages of Byndoor, Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple provides an opportunity to discover a side of the region that is rarely included in the usual coastal itinerary.

At a glance

Timings
6.30am-1pm and 4.30pm-8pm
Entry Fees
Free
Best time
Oct-April
Distance from Byndoor
9km
Get directions See it in the guide

How to reach

🚗 By road: NH 66 to Ganganadu road.

🚆 By train: Nearest Railway Station Byndoor Mookambika Road Railway Station about 8.5km.

✈️ By air: Mangalore International Airport about 135km

Visitor information

Mobile networkVery limited

Location

Yadthare forest region

Places usually visited on the same trip.

Koosalli Waterfalls waterfalls Kudumari Waterfalls waterfalls
Timings, fees and availability change. Please confirm locally before travelling. Carry your litter back with you — Byndoor has few bins outside town.