Karnataka · India
Sringeri
A serene Malnad temple town on the Tunga river — seat of the first matha founded by Adi Shankaracharya, with a revered Sharada shrine, exquisite Vidyashankara temple and green hills.
Sringeri is Advaita-Vedanta and Malnad calm: the Sharada Peetham and its Sharadamba and Vidyashankara temples, tame fish in the Tunga, coffee hills, and simple Malnad food.
Plan your trip
Sringeri Tour Itineraries
Timed, walkable day plans — plus the best season to go.
Where to shoot
Sringeri Photo Spots
Low crowdEntry Free
Kigga (Rishyashringeshwara)
- Best timeMorning, when the forest around the temple is misty and the courtyard is quiet.
- ColorsSaffronCreamForest green
High crowdEntry Free
Sharadamba Temple (Sharada Peetham)
- Best timeEarly morning, when the courtyard is quiet and soft light falls on the temple front.
- ColorsSaffronRedGold
Medium crowdEntry Nominal
Sirimane Falls
- Best timeLate morning after the monsoon, when light reaches the water through the trees and the falls are full.
- ColorsYellowWhiteForest green
Medium crowdEntry Free
Tunga River
- Best timeEarly morning for calm water and mist; late afternoon for warm light on the temples across the river.
- ColorsSaffronWhiteTeal
Entry Free
Vidyashankara Temple
- Best timeLate afternoon, when warm light brings out the carvings on the stone walls; early morning for an empty courtyard.
- ColorsCreamSaffronMaroon
For the feed
Trending Wear in Sringeri
Modern, Instagram-friendly looks
Rooted in the city
Sringeri Traditional Wear
Local, cultural, handcrafted outfits
Before you go
Temples in Sringeri
Darshan hours, dress codes and what gets refused at the gate
Taste the city
Food to Eat in Sringeri
Trusted tables
Where to Eat in Sringeri
Representative photoHotel Vasishta
Sringeri town
Representative photoMalnad Mane
Sringeri
Sharada Peetham Prasadam Hall
Temple complex
Representative photoTunga View Restaurant
Near river
About Sringeri
Sringeri is a small temple town on the banks of the Tunga river in the Malnad hills of Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka. It is home to the Sringeri Sharada Peetham, which tradition holds to be the first of the four mathas established by Adi Shankaracharya. The town takes its name from the sage Rishyashringa, whose temple stands in Kigga village nearby.
Most of what visitors come for sits within a short walk. The Sharadamba temple and the 14th-century Vidyashankara temple stand side by side on the riverbank, the fish gather in the Tunga below the steps, and a footbridge crosses to Narasimhavana on the far side. Spend a morning at the temples, eat a prasadam meal at the matha, and take a half-day trip out through coffee and areca country to Kigga and Sirimane Falls. The town is quiet and devotional in feel, so plan for early starts, simple vegetarian food and traditional dress at the temples.
Questions
Sringeri — FAQ
What is Sringeri famous for?
Sringeri is famous for the Sringeri Sharada Peetham, the matha traditionally said to have been founded by Adi Shankaracharya, and its Sharadamba temple. It is also known for the carved Vidyashankara temple with its twelve zodiac pillars, the sacred fish in the Tunga river and the green Malnad hills around the town.
How many days are enough for Sringeri?
1–2 days is enough. One day covers the Sharadamba and Vidyashankara temples, the river and Narasimhavana. A second day gives time for Kigga and Sirimane Falls, or for combining Sringeri with Horanadu or Agumbe.
What is the best time to visit Sringeri?
October to February is the most comfortable time, with cool mornings and little rain. June to September brings very heavy monsoon rain, and the Tunga can flood parts of the town. See the best time to visit Sringeri for a month-by-month guide.
How do I reach Sringeri?
Sringeri is reached by road. Mangaluru airport is about 110 km away, and Shivamogga, which has an airport and a railway station, is about 100 km away. Buses run to Sringeri from Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Udupi and Shivamogga, and the last stretch winds through hilly forest roads.
Is there a dress code at Sringeri?
Yes. Since August 2024 the Sharadamba temple and the Guru's residence across the river ask for traditional Indian dress: a dhoti with an upper cloth for men, and a saree, salwar with dupatta or langa davani for women. Visitors in other clothes can usually only see the deity from outside the inner hall.