A 6 feet tall Shiva Linga here at the temple known as the Atmalinga is worshipped here. Built using white granite, it is a classic example of the beauty of Dravidian architecture. A 1500 years old carved stone Lord Shiva idol in the standing position represents the main deity. The temple has been mentioned in the Hindu Mythics of Mahabharata and Ramayana and it is said to be as significant as Kashi, hence it earned the title, Dakshin (South) Kashi.
The top of the Atmalinga is the only part of the Linga that is visible to devotees. But during the Ashta Bandana Kumbhabhishekam, a festival that happens once every 40 years, is when the entire Atmalinga is shown to the devotees. As per custom, devotees must first take a dip in the Karwar Beach, where the temple faces, visit the Maha Ganapathi Temple that is opposite the temple, then only visit the Mahabaleshwar Temple.
Mahabaleshwar Temple is one of the most popular attractions of Uttara Kannada District. It is popular among devotees due to a Shiva Linga present here, otherwise known as Pranalinga or Atmalinga. This religious site is deemed to be as holy as the Shiva Temples of Kashi or Varanasi and is counted among the seven sacred Mukti Kshetras. Devotees who plan a visit to Mahabaleshwar Temple take a dip in the Arabian Sea before visiting the site. This structure represents the Dravidian architectural style and has been constructed using white granite stones. Upon reaching the temple, tourists will notice that the Shiva Linga is placed in a square Saligrama Peetha with a hole in the middle. This central hole enables devotees to easily view the top of the Shiva Linga. Apart from this Shiva Linga, the temple also has a 1500 year old carved stone figure of Lord Shiva. People belonging to Hindu religion pay a visit to this temple in order to carry out the final rituals of their deceased relatives. It is said that devotees who catch a glimpse of the linga are showered with blessings. Mahabaleshwar Temple is thronged by hundreds of devotees during the occasion of Shivaratri.
HOW TO REACH MAHABALESHWAR TEMPLE, GOKARNA
The Mahabaleshwar Temple in Gokarna has access points from different parts of Karnataka.
BY AIR: Mangalore is the nearest airport (192). From Mangalore, one must board a bus or hire a taxi to Gokarna.
BY RAIL: Ankola is the nearest railway station (20 km). Buses and cabs are available from Ankola to Gokarna.
BY ROAD: Buses are available to Gokarna from Bangalore, Mangalore and other major towns and cities in Karnataka.
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THE MAHABALESHWAR TEMPLE, GOKARNA?
With the granite architecture flaunting the classical Dravidian style of construction and design, be warned that the Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple can lead a history and archaeology enthusiast into a time travelling experience back to the 4th century CE during the reign of King Mayurasharma of the Kadamba Dynasty when the temple was built.
Apart from the stone sculpture of Lord Shiva and the whopping Atma Lingam enclosed within the Shaligrama Peetha, the Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna is surrounded by shrines of Maha Ganapati, Thamira Gowri (Goddess Parvati), Chandikeswara, Aadi Gokarneswara, Gokarnanayagi and Dattatreya.
This ancient temple in the state holds a revered space among pilgrims especially for the mythological legends and history associated with it. The temple also finds mentions in the Hindu epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
The fact that the temple is deemed to be as pious as the pilgrimage town of Kashi in northern India has bestowed upon it the name of Dakshin Kashi (Kashi of the South).
HISTORY OF MAHABALESHWAR TEMPLE, GOKARNA
The Mahabaleshwar temple enshrines the Aatmalinga or Pranalinga of Lord Shiva. This temple represents the Dravidian architectural style and has been constructed using white granite stones. The six feet tall Shivalinga is enclosed in a square Saligrama Peetham. The 1500 years old carved stone image of Lord Shiva in the standing position, is also worshipped here.
According to the legend, Ravana performed a severe penance to Lord Shiva to possess his powerful Atmalinga. Pleased by his penance, Shiva gives him the Atmalinga. He had been instructed by Lord Shiva not to keep the Atmalinga on the ground, since it would be fixed wherever it touched ground. Ravana was stopped here for his evening prayers while going back to Lanka. In order to avoid Ravana misusing the Atmalinga, Lord Ganesh was sent by devatas in the avatar of a boy offered to hold the Atmalinga and then keep it on the ground. Eventually, the Aatmalinga was installed at Gokarna. In spite of Ravana trying hard with mighty power or Maha Bala, the Shivalingam stayed here fixed in the place. Ravana, in extreme anger, tried to pull out the Atmalinga from the ground, breaking it in the process. These pieces then resulted in the establishment of various temples in Karnataka.
The temple is said to be one of the seven sacred Mukti Kshetras and is visited by Hindus to perform the death rites for their ancestors. In this Temple all devotees can enter the sanctum sanctorum and touch Aatmalinga and can perform Abhishekam with their own hands. Before visiting this temple, tourists take a dip in the holy water of the Arabian Sea.
The shrines of Vinayaka, Chandikeswara, Aadi Gokarneswara and Dattatreya are also present here. There is a shrine of Tamragouri behind the sanctum. The Koti theertham is the most sacred theertham of the place. Shivarathri is the main festival celebrated here and tourists from all over South India visit the temple on this auspicious occasion.
