Gundabala Sri Anjaneya Temple is located in Gundabala village, near Honnavar in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka. The main deity is Sri Anjaneya Swamy, worshipped as a powerful form of Hanuman who fulfils vows, removes obstacles, and grants strength and courage. The murti is believed to be highly energetic, and devotees say prayers are answered quickly.
The temple follows a traditional coastal Karnataka style. It has a simple garbhagriha where Hanuman is installed, a small mandapa for pujas, a dhwajastambha in the front, and open spaces around the temple. The setup is kept natural and basic to preserve the old village temple atmosphere. The silence of the surrounding forest adds to the spiritual feeling.
Gundabala has been a centre of Hanuman worship for many centuries. Earlier, because the region had dense forests and wildlife, villagers prayed to Hanuman for protection. Over generations, devotees experienced miracles, and the temple became known for its strong divine presence.
The temple gained wider fame due to the unique tradition of Yakshagana seva, a practice that has continued for decades without a break.
The most unique feature of Gundabala is the offering of Yakshagana as a seva to Lord Hanuman. This is one of the very few temples in India where an art form is performed every night as an offering.
Long ago, villagers sought divine help during times of difficulty, such as drought and illness. It is believed that Lord Hanuman gave guidance through a divine message that Yakshagana performed with devotion would please him. From that time, Yakshagana became the temple’s sacred tradition.
From November to May, Yakshagana Bayalata is performed all night, every night. Two Yakshagana teams (melas) take turns to perform on alternate days. It is believed that Hanuman watches the Yakshagana throughout the night, and anyone attending the all-night show receives His blessings, energy, and protection.
Many devotees take a vow (harake) at the temple. When their wish is fulfilled, they sponsor a night of Yakshagana as thanksgiving. This tradition has continued for generations, making Gundabala a sacred centre of divine art worship.
The temple celebrates Hanuman Jayanti with great devotion, marked by special abhishekas, homas, pujas, decorations, a ceremonial procession, and Annadanam offered to all devotees. The entire period from November to May becomes festive because Yakshagana Seva is performed every night, and devotees consider this continuous art offering as a sacred celebration by itself. Tuesdays and Saturdays are treated as highly auspicious days, when devotees visit the temple in large numbers to perform archana, chant Hanuman shlokas, and offer their personal vows and prayers.
