Places to Visit in Sringeri

The math runs seven pilgrim guest houses beside the Sharada temple — Shankara Kripa, Sharada Kripa, Yatri Nivas, Bharathi Tirtha Vihara, Shankara Sadana, Srinivasa Kripa and Bharati Tirtha Krupa — with rooms and shared dormitory halls for groups. Only a minimum kannikai is collected, towards upkeep rather than as a room rate.

Old-school cottage rooms about 4 km from the Sharada Peetham at Shidle, in standard, deluxe and family layouts. Air conditioning, hot water round the clock, wifi and a vegetarian breakfast are included, and the owners arrange guided treks and pick-ups. Rates start around Rs 2,500.

A six-room homestay at Keremane, about 5 km out of Sringeri town, set among coffee and areca gardens. The rooms are large and made for families or small groups, and the house can seat 35 to 40 for a gathering. Home-cooked vegetarian meals are served on request if you give notice; the room rate covers linen and hot water only.

A hotel on the bank of the Tunga, and the smarter of the town's private options — travellers describe it as a step above the pilgrim lodges around the temple. Useful if you want a private room with a river outlook rather than a math guest house.

A tourist home on Bharathi Street, the lane that runs from the temple into the town. Plain rooms within walking distance of the Sharada temple, in the same stretch as the town's shops and eating houses.

The Public Works Department bungalow, one of three non-commercial lodgings the town has long offered alongside the math guest houses. Government rest houses are allotted at the department's discretion and are not bookable like a hotel — ask locally before counting on it.