Murudeshwara Temple is situated in the Murudeshwar Bhatkal Taluk in the northern side of Karnataka state and this temple also shares a border with Goa as well. Murudeshwara Temple is mainly a religious spot which is why it is also called Murudeshwara Devasthal. Murudeshwara is one of the names of Lord Shiva who is worshipped in this temple. Murudeshwara in Karnataka attracts a vast number of tourists because of the sacred Murudeshwara Temple which is located on Kanduka Giri hills. This temple is the house of the world’s second statue of Lord Shiva. This temple is covered with the huge Arabian Sea from the 3 sides and it is a nice view for the visitors. If you are searching for a place where with a fusion of beaches along with the holy essence spread everywhere, Murudeshwara temple is an apt one.
History of Murudeshwara Temple:
The tale of the Murudeshwar Temple has its roots in the Hindu epic, Ramayana. Ravana who is the Demon King, was a keen devotee of Lord Shiva. He performed rituals and offered repentance to attain immortality. Shiva felt happy with his prayers and granted Ravana what he wanted but on one condition that is, Ravana had to carry AtmaLinga to Lanka without placing it on earth. When Lord Ganesha and Lord Vishnu heard this, they knew if Ravana was successful he would create disasters on Earth. So the two made a plan to deceive Ravana.
Vishnu created an illusion of sunset, and Ganesha covered up himself as a Brahmin. The two knew Ravana does not allow a day to end without offering his prayers to Lord Shiva through a ritual. Ravana observed the sun was about to set and was concerned and bothered about his ritual. At this point, the Brahmin (Ganesha) met Ravana and offered to hold the Linga on a simple condition. So the Ravana went to perform the ritual, but when he returned AtmaLinga was on the ground. Vishnu removed the delusion and it was day again and Ganesha changed into his original form. Understanding, that he had been tricked, Ravana got angry and tried to remove the Linga from the ground with a much force that it crushed and all its pieces got scattered.
It is said that one of those scattered pieces took off and landed in a place called Mrideshwar which is now called as Murudeshwar. The temple is home to that piece of AtmaLinga.
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Architecture of Murudeshwar Temple:
Murudeshwar Temple is constructed on Kanduka Hill, which is covered with the Arabian Sea on the three sides. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and in front of this temple, is a 20- 20-storeyed tower which is called Raja Gopura. There is also a lift facility where you can go to the top of the gopuram to experience a breathtaking view of hills, water, a 123-foot Shiva idol, and serene nature. There are several statues, parks, and pools in the temple compound. A huge number of statues of Lord Vishnu, Shiva, and Ganesha and other statues of Chariots, a scene of Lord Ganesha misleading Ravana, and more are present inside the temple compound. With the fusion of architectural brilliance and tranquil and pleasant nature, this temple attracts so many visitors.
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Festivals of Murudeshwara Temple:
The Maha Shivratri takes place in February or March. A huge number of visitors from Karnataka come to the shrine to seek the blessings of God. This Maha Shivratri is a day when the Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi got married and some people also think, this is the day when Lord Shiva drank the poison during the mythological “churning of Amrit”.
Another festival which is known as Karthik Purnima is held in November or December during the month of Karthik. These are the two main festivals which are celebrated in a grand way in this temple.
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Timings and Best Time to visit Murudeshwara Temple:
The doors of the Murudeshwara Temple open from 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 3:00 PM to 8:15 PM, which offers you a lot of time to explore around and feel spiritual.
The best time to visit the Murudeshwara Temple is between October to March because the two major festivals are held in between these months and the place is filled with a pleasant atmosphere that offers you to immerse in the tranquil and picturesque view around the temple.
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How to Reach Murudeshwara Temple:
By Air: The nearest airport to the temple is Mangalore Airport, which is at a distance of 153 kilometers to the south of the temple. It connects to all the big cities in the country and some places outside the country. From the airport, you can hire a taxi to reach the temple.
By Rail: Mangalore is the main railway station which is at a distance of 2 kilometres east of the town and it also connects to all the major cities in India. From the station, there are some local buses available and also you can hire an auto-rickshaw that drops you there at the temple.
By Road: There are huge numbers of both government and private buses available to reach Murudeshwar from Mumbai, Kochi, Bengaluru, and many other major cities.
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Conclusion:
As said earlier the Murudeshwara Temple is a perfect spot that is mixed with both serene nature and spiritual significance. The mesmerizing view of the Arabian Sea, the huge Shiva statue, and the architectural brilliance offer you a memorable moment in the journey to this temple.
Further Reading:
- Karnataka Places to See in January
- Destinations to Visit Karnataka in February
- Travel in Karnataka Places Visit in March
- Places to Visit in Karnataka in April
- Karnataka Places to Visit in May
- Places to See in Karnataka in June
- Places in Karnataka to See in July
- Karnataka Destinations to Visit in August
- Places to Visit in September in Karnataka
- Tourist Places in Karnataka Visit in October
- Karnataka Tourist Places to Visit in November
- Places to See in Karnataka in December
