About the Temple

Kallianpur is located on the southern bank of river Suvarna and is now a small town and a suburb of Udupi. Kallianpur was a place of considerable commercial importance during mediaeval period.

Sunkadakatte Shri Vinayaka Temple is situated on the road leading to the river port which was an important transit point (where mode of transport was required to be changed from road transport to water transport to continue the journey towards Kundapura, Karwar and beyond – as bridge over the river Suvarna was not yet built. This situation continued till early 1960s). Sunkadakatte used to be place for collection of tolls (‘Sunka’ in Kannada) for the ferry transport. Shri Vinayaka Temple on Sunkadakatte was the place where passengers and devotees used to pray and pay their obeisance for safe onward journey.

Sunkadakatte Shri Vinayaka Temple is over six hundred years old as it is being worshipped since at least 14^th Century AD. Worshipped as ‘Grama Devaru’, the Vinayaka idol is extremely charming. The idol is about 30 cms tall and is carved out of jet-black stone. The attributes in the upper two arms Vaishnavite, namely ‘Chakra’ and ‘Shankha’. The lower two arms hold ‘Modaka’ and ‘Danta’. Lord Vinayaka, depicted seated with both the legs touching the ground, and carved with great detail is a constant reminder of the glory of Vijayanagara Empire.

The Temple was completely reconstructed in the year 2020-21 and Punah-Pratishta ceremonies were held from 6^th May 2021 to 9^th May 2021.

Sunkadakatte Shri Vinayaka Temple is a Chitrapur Saraswat denominational temple. However, devotees from all sections of the society, from places in and around Kallianpur and from faraway places too, worship Sunkadakatte Lord Shri Vinayaka who is also known as Siddhi Vinayaka.

On Sankashti Day each month, there are special poojas and ‘Homas’ performed which is attended by devotees in large numbers. Ganesh Chaturthi, Kartika Deepotsava are other festivities of the temple.