Sringeri – Horanadu – Kalasa Temple Circuit

• Overnight travel
• Temple visit

An overnight drive into the Western Ghats brings you to Sringeri for early darshan on the Tunga, then on through forest roads to Horanadu for the Annapoorneshwari prasadam lunch and Kalasa's riverside temple in the afternoon.

1. 22:00Depart Bengaluru (Friday night). First pickup at RMZ Ecospace, Bellandur, then Yeshwanthpur, Goraguntepalya and Nelamangala; exact spots and live location go on the trip WhatsApp group. Pack a shawl or towel; men will need one at Horanadu.

2. 05:30Arrive Sringeri, freshen up. A quiet pre-dawn arrival in the temple town on the banks of the Tunga.

3. 06:30Sharadamba Temple darshan. The shrine of Goddess Sharada at the peetham founded by Adi Shankaracharya opens at 06:00, so early darshan is usually unhurried. Modest traditional dress is appropriate.

4. 07:30Vidyashankara Temple and the Tunga ghat. The 14th-century stone temple is known for its twelve zodiac pillars. Below it, large sacred fish gather at the river steps, where devotees feed them.

5. 09:00Breakfast. A South Indian breakfast in Sringeri before the drive.

6. 10:00Optional: Guru Darshan or riverside time. When the Jagadguru is in residence, Guru Darshan is usually held 10:30–11:30, subject to change; otherwise a slow walk across the bridge to the Narasimha Vana side.

7. 11:15Drive to Horanadu. About 50 km, roughly 90 minutes, on winding forest and plantation roads through Kalasa; take motion-sickness precautions if needed.

8. 12:45Annapoorneshwari Temple darshan. The golden form of Goddess Annapoorneshwari, open 11:00–14:00 for the midday session. Men remove shirts and vests and cover their shoulders with a towel or shawl.

9. 13:30Prasadam lunch at the temple. The temple's free annadana, a simple vegetarian meal served to every visitor between about 12:00 and 15:00, eaten seated in the dining hall.

10. 15:00Drive to Kalasa. Around 8 km, about 20 minutes, down to the Bhadra.

11. 15:30Kalaseshwara Temple and the Bhadra. The temple reopens at 15:30 after its midday break; afterwards, time by the river at Amba Theertha, one of Kalasa's five sacred tirthas.

12. 17:00Check in, evening at leisure. Rest after the overnight journey. Horanadu's evening darshan, roughly 19:00–21:30, is an option if you are staying close by.

13. 19:30Dinner. At the guesthouse or a local eatery; food in these temple towns is simple and vegetarian-leaning.On your own

• Temple visit

An unhurried breakfast, then back through the coffee estates via Kottigehara and Mudigere with a stop at Belur's Chennakeshava Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, before the drive to Bengaluru.

1. 06:45Optional: Horanadu morning darshan. The morning session runs roughly 06:30–09:00 and is usually quieter than midday; best if your stay is near Horanadu.

2. 08:00Breakfast. At the guesthouse or homestay.

3. 09:00Check out and drive via Kottigehara. Around 80 km, about 2.5 hours, up through coffee and pepper estates and down past Mudigere to Belur.

4. 11:30Chennakeshava Temple, Belur. Built in 1117, this Hoysala temple is covered in soapstone carving, including the celebrated madanika bracket figures. Allow an hour; hiring a local guide is optional and pay-on-your-own.

5. 13:00Lunch in Belur. A local vegetarian meal near the temple before the long leg home.On your own

6. 14:00Depart for Bengaluru. Via Hassan on NH-75, roughly 220 km with a tea break on the way.

7. 20:00Arrive Bengaluru, trip ends. Drop at Nelamangala, Goraguntepalya and Yeshwanthpur; Sunday evening traffic into the city can add time.