Shri Murudeshwar Temple

Murdeshwar is located in the district of Uttara Kannada which is in the state of Karnataka in India. Lying on the coast of the Arabian sea, this town has the second tallest Shiva statue in the world. The Hindu god Shiva is also called Murdeshwar and that’s how this town got its name. The Murdeshwar temple is another famous attraction of this place. A fine example of the architecture of the Kings of Vijayanagar, the temple attracts tourists from all over the world.

Surrounded by the Arabian Sea on three sides, the Murdeshwar Temple is built on the hill of Kanduka. The temple has a 20 storied gopura called the Raja Gopura. A lift has been installed within the temple by the authorities so that it’s easier for the tourists and pilgrims to reach the Raja gopura to get an excellent view of the massive Shiva idol. The Someshwar temple built in the 10th century by the Chola kings is another popular tourist destination.   Besides being a town of religious importance, Murdeshwar is also famous for its beaches. One of the most beautiful beaches in this place is Bhatkal with many temples that have historical significance surrounding this place. The months of October to March are the best time to visit this place.

 

Description Of Murudeshwar Temple

Murudeshwar Temple is located in Murdeshwar town in Bhatkal Taluk of Uttara Kannada district in the state of Karnataka, India.

Murdeshwar is famous for the world’s second-tallest Shiva statue. This temple is built on the Kanduka Hill which is surrounded on three sides by the waters of the Arabian Sea. A 20-storied gopura is constructed at the temple. The temple authorities have installed a lift that provides a breath-taking view of the 123-feet Sri Shiva idol from the top of the Raja gopura. Two life-size elephants in concrete stand guard at the steps leading to it. The entire temple and temple complex, including the 237.5-feet-tall Raja Gopura, is one among the tallest.

There are statues of Sun Chariot on the side of a park, pool, statues depicting Arjuna receiving Geetopadesham from Lord Krishna, Ravana being deceived by Ganesha in disguise, Shiva’s manifestation as Bhaghirnath, descending Ganga, carved around the hill.

The temple is entirely modernized with the exception of the sanctum sanctorum which is still dark and retains its composure. The main deity is Sri Mridesa Linga, also called Murdeshwar. The linga is believed to be a piece of the original Atma Linga and is about two feet below ground level.

The origin of the name “Murdeshwar'' dates to the time of Ramayana. The story is an interesting one around “How Ravana wanted to attain immortality like the Hindu Gods and worshipped Shiva to obtain the Atma Linga. Shiva, pleased with the devotion of Ravana, gives him the Atma Linga on one condition that it should not be placed on the ground which would then make it unmovable. Vishnu with the help of Lord Ganesha succeeds in pranking Ravanna on his way to Lanka with the Atma Linga and the Atma Linga is placed on the ground deeming it unmovable. In anger, Ravanna tries destroying the Atma Linga and parts of it are said to be scattered around the country, one of which is currently part of the Murdeshwar Temple.

Marking its prominence in the array of Murudeshwar tourist places,Shri Murudeshwara temple is a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the must-visit spots of the region. The temple features the second-highest statue of Lord Shiva from all over the world and is surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of the Arabian Sea on all sides.

The main entrance of the temple is called the gopura and from here you can gape at the enchanting landscapes of the statue. The most striking feature of the temple is the intricate carvings that are done on the walls. Devotees from different regions travel to this temple to seek blessings of Lord Shiva and offer their prayers to him.

 

What are the festivals celebrated at Murudeshwar Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Murudeshwar temple are:

• Mahashivaratri: The festival occurs in February or March. The festival signifies the marriage of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati. Some also believe that this is the day when Lord Shiva absorbed the poison that turned him blue during the churning of the Amrit episode in mythology. Devotees also keep fast and sing bhajans throughout the night and into the day. Thousands of pilgrims from in and around Karnataka visit the shrine to receive blessings from the God themselves.
• Karthik Purnima: The festive day is celebrated in the month of Karthik, usually in November – December. It is believed that Lord Shiva destroyed the three demon cities, collectively known as Tripura of the Tripurasura demon on this day. Some also believe that the day signified the birth of Lord Karthikeyan (Murugan), son of Lord Shiva.

 

Best Time To Visit Murudeshwar Temple

October to May is the best time to visit Murudeshwar. MahaShivaratri is an important festival here and is celebrated with great enthusiasm. It typically occurs in the month of February or March. Many pilgrims visit this place and even consider it holy to a certain level. If you are planning to visit Murudeshwar specifically for scuba diving, then a visit from November - January might be a good time and it is typically a good idea to find out if scuba diving is active or not as quite often, it is closed due to various reasons. June-September experiences heavy rainfall and should be avoided. The weather in this sacramental town is synonymous to those of most tropical Indian countries, and the best time to visit is the Winter season due to the moderately cold temperatures.

 

How To Reach Murudeshwar

By Road: From Bangalore 455 km, from Mangalore 165 kms. From Bangalore take the NH-206 to reach Honnavar and then take NH-17 to reach Murudeshwara. From Mumbai and Mangalore, one has to take the National Highway NH-17 between the towns of Honnavar and Bhatkal.

By Rail: Murudeshwar station lies on the Konkan Railway. Some trains from Mumbai and Mangalore stop here. To reach Bangalore one has to take the train to Bhatkal station.

By Air: Mangalore International Airport, 165 km away. Hubli and Panaji airports are other alternatives.