No products in the cart.
Murudeshwar Temple, Karnataka
Murudeshwar Temple is famous all across the globe as the World’s second largest Shiva statue is established here. The sacred town of Murudeshwar is rich with beautifully sculpted statues and carvings.
Murudeshwar Temple, Karnataka
Murudeshwar Temple’s prominence is known worldwide as it is the place where World’s second largest Shiva statue is established. Murudeshwar is a small town in Bhatkal Taluk of Uttara Kannada district in the state of Karnataka, India. Murudeshwar is a synonym for Lord Shiva.
Murudeshwar temple at one stage had started to tumble down and hence there was a requirement for renovation. The locals tried rebuilding the sanctum sanctorum earlier, but it did not last long. The present temple complex is the result of the hardwork of Sri. R. N Shetty. He started renovation in 1977 with a team of craftsmen and artisans brought in from Tamilnadu. The temple is mainly built of granite.
Subsequently, other sculptures were built on the Kanduka hill, which have enhanced the charm of the place. The 123 ft high Shiva statue, which is the world’s second largest Shiva sculpture has become a landmark. Another newly added masterpiece is the world’s largest Rajagopuram in front of the temple complex. This 249 feet tower was inaugurated in May 2008. These monuments complement the natural scenic beauty of Murudeshwar.
Murudeshwar Temple, Karnataka
The legend of Murudeshwar dates back to the age of Ramayana. Ravana, the asura king of Lanka, wanted to have the powerful Atmalinga of Shiva, so that he can become invincible and immortal by worshipping it. Pleased by his severe atonement, Lord Shiva gave him the Atmalinga but warned him not to place it on the ground till he reached his destination.
Upset by the thought that Ravana would become more powerful by worshipping the Atmalinga, the Gods devised a plan to take it away from Ravana. The Gods knew that Ravana being a pious devotee of Lord Shiva was punctual in performing the periodical rites every day.
As Ravana approached Gokarna, Lord Vishnu blotted the sun with his Sudharshana Chakra. Thinking that it was evening, Ravana was in two minds whether to put down the Atmalinga or skip his evening rites. Just then, Lord Ganesh came to that place in the guise of a brahmin boy. Ravana called the boy and asked him to hold the linga until he completed his evening rites. The boy agreed on the condition that he’d keep the linga down if Ravana didn’t return before the boy called out his name thrice. Ravana agreed and went about his rituals, but by then the boy called out his name thrice and placed the Atmalinga on the earth, and it got firmly established in the earth.
When Vishnu withdrew his Sudharshan chakra, Ravana saw bright sunlight and understood that he was tricked by the Gods. He became furious. He came to the Linga and tried to uproot it with all his might. But the idol did not budge even a liitle. The idol’s shape now looked like a cow’s ear. Hence, the place is known as Gokarna. [Go means Cow and karna means Ear in sanskrit.] The crest fallen Ravana was deeply upset and beat the boy on his head. In anger he pulled and threw the case of linga, which fell 23 miles away at Sajjeshwar. He threw the lid to the south 27 miles away at Guneshwara in the form of “Vamdev Linga”. He threw the cloth wrapped to the idol to south, 32 miles away at Kanduka hills on shore of sea. It took the form of “Aghora”at Murudeshwar. The thread winding the idol was flung to south at Dhareshwara, came to known as “Tathpurusha Linga”.
Shiva learnt all this from wind god Vayu. He came on earth along with Parvathi and Ganesha and visited all these five places and worshipped the linga. He declared that these would be his Panchakshetras and those who worshipped lingas at those places would be free from all sins and their wishes would be fulfilled and ultimately reach the abode of Shiva.
Maha Shivratri is celebrated with great devotion at the Murudeshwar temple attracting thousands of devotees from all over India.
Darshana and Pooja Timings:
Morning – 3:00 AM to 1.00 PM
Evening – 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Permanent Seva (per year one day)
| 1) Annasantharpana Seva | Rs. 5001-00 |
| 2) NityaSeva | Rs. 2500-00 |
| 3) Nanda Deepa Seva | Rs. 1000-00 |
| 1) One Day Annasantharpana | Rs. 750-00 |
| 2) One Sankashti Ganahoma | Rs. 251-00 |
| 3) One Servadeva Pooja | Rs. 200-00 |
Best time to Visit: November to February.
Nearest Road : From Bangalore 455 km, from Mangalore 165kms.
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
Nearest Railway Station:
Murudeshwara station lies on the Konkan Railway. Some trains from Mumbai and Mangalore stop here. To reach from Bangalore on has to take train to Bhatkal station.
Nearest Airport:
Mangalore International Airport, 165 km away. Hubli and Panaji airports are other alternatives.
