We recognise Murudeshwar temple through its beautiful Shiva Statue. The place is also a famous pilgrimage centre for Hindus. What we should know is the story behind the formation of the temple. Here are some fascinating things that'll make you amazed about Murudeshwar.
The Gigantic Shiva
The breathtaking effigy of Shiva in Murudeshwar is a popular one. This figure is said to be the second tallest Shiva statue in world after Kailashnath Mahadev Statue in Nepal.
Photo courtesy: Vinodtiwari2608
The Alluring Raja Gopura
The Raja Gopura means the 'King of Towers', this temple tower in Murudeshwara lives upto its name. The Raja Gopura has 20 floors and people can also reach the top of the tower by lift.
Photo courtesy: Prashant Sahu
Kanduka Hill: A Peninsula
The Murudeshwar temple is located in Kanduka hill which is surrounded by the Arabian Sea on 3 sides. Thus, providing the great vistas of the sea.
Photo courtesy: Harikuttan333
Looking Back to Ramayana
The formation of the Murudeshwara temple is related to the times of the Hindu epic Ramayana.
Photo courtesy: Макс Вальтер
Ravana and Atma-Linga
The legend says, Ravana had acquired Atma-Linga from Lord Shiva on a condition that he should not keep it on the ground before reaching Lanka. Devatas didn't want Ravana to gain immoratality and become powerful. So they deviced a plan.
Photo courtesy: Макс Вальтер
Ganesha's Trick
Gods (devatas) seek help from Lord Ganesh. He disguised in the form of a boy tricks Ravana to give him the Atma-Linga. While Ravana is doing his prayers, Ganesha places the Linga in Gokarna. Thus, the Linga gets fixed on the ground.
Photo courtesy: Макс Вальтер
Ravana's Anger
In his anger Ravana tries to take the Linga instead he breaks the Linga. In the process the pieces of Linga gets scattered around Gokarna. The main Atma-Linga is the Mahabaleshwara temple (Gokarna), Sajjeshwar, Dhareshwar, Gunavanteshwar and the cloth covering the Atma-Linga falls in Murudeshwar.
Photo courtesy: RNM
The Statue of Shiva Sparkles
The figure of Shiva took 2 years to construct. It is built in such a way that the sunrays fall directly on it and make it look shiny all the time.
Photo courtesy: Thamarai Krishnamoorthi
The Modern Architecture
The Murudeshwar Temple is one of the popular temples in Karnataka. It has a blend of modern and traditional architecture. The statue was built by Kashinath and financed by a business man named R.N.Shetty.
Photo Courtesy: Rojypala
Mrideshawara Temple
There is a temple of Mridheshwara at the base of the statue.
Photo courtesy: Макс Вальтер
Sri Mridesha Linga
The original piece of Atma-Linga is known as Mridesha Linga. Now it is renamed as Murudeshwara.
Photo courtesy: Rojypala
Emerging Scuba Diving Destination
The Nethrani Island also called Pigeon Island near Murudeshwara is known for scuba diving. It is said to be one of the best scuba diving destinations in India.
Photo courtesy: Sankara Subramanian
The beautiful temple complex is located on Kanduka Hill (Kanduka Giri) in Bhatkal. The tall Raja Gopura (tower) and the Shiva Idol with the backdrop of the Arabian Sea is amazing to visit.
Murudeshwara is one of the PanchaLingam temples in the circuit of Gokarna. It surely is one of the famous shiva temples in India.