Chandragutti is situated between Sorab and Siddapura on a rocky mountain bed. It is famous for the temple of Renukamba, mother of Sree Parashuram.

Hundreds of devotees visit this pilgrimage center every year. Chandragutti is 15 km west of Sorab. This place is very good for trekking.

Chandragutti of Sorab taluk in Shimoga District is a beautiful village situated in Sahyadri ranges. It has the famous Renukamba temple. Devotees use to take bath in river Varada, about 3 kms from here, and walk to the temple. It is situated on a hill at the northern side of the village and with a flight of steps to reach it.

First you will get a Mutt belonged to `Naatha pantha’ and then Kalabhairava temple. And at the end of steps is the temple of Goddess Sri Renukamba, where a golden statue of the goddess is worshipped inside a cave.

In front of it is a small temple in which Elu Hede Nagendra (Divine King cobra with seven hoods) and Parashurama, son of Renukamba, is worshipped. And beside the temple is a statue of Matangi.

There is another path for the devotees to get down from the temple, which is without proper steps but gives one an exalting experience to while on this path. On this way there is a temple of Shoolada Beerappa, in which thousands of tridents, which are said to be rose from the earth, are worshipped. Even devotees add to the number with their offerings. Beside this temple situated a pond called `Ammanavara honda’, to which water flows from a bigger pond called `Tavarekere’, situated at a still higher region behind Renukamba temple. And from this water flows in a small canal to agriculture fields. At the beginning of the flight of steps is a sacred well in cradle shape called `Tottila baavi’.

Apart from this, there is an old port, said to be of seven folds, situated amid a dense forest. If you walk for in the forest behind the temple, you will get different entrances which take you to the peak, which is a huge rock mass. From there it is all beautiful scenery of the village, hill ranges, farm lands and ponds. On this huge rock are three wells, two of which contain water even in summer days. There is a stone construction, which is said to be used for storing weapons by the then kings.

Route: Chandragutti is 106 kms from Shimoga and is on the way from Sorab to Siddapur. It can be reached from Sorab (18kms), Siddapur (16kms) and from Sirsi (40kms).

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God Sri Parashuram & Nagadevate

Shoolada Beerappa

Goddess Renukamba in Cave

Photos: Shriharsha.B.S.-Banavasi (Mysore)
Informtion Courtesy: Wikipedia