Murudeshwar Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva which is located in the temple town of Murudeshwara, Karnataka.
It is surrounded by beautiful views of the Arabian Sea which falls on three sides of the temple.
The whole Murudeshwar Temple Complex is modern except the main Sanctum which is still dark and retains the old form. Further, businessman and philanthropist R.N. Shetty constructed the new temple complex.
History of the Temple
Dating back to Ramayana, Murudeshwara occupies a tremendous symbolic reference to the Hindu mythology God, Lord Shiva and the ruler of Lanka, Ravana. Atma-Linga or the soul of Lord Shiva is believed to bless an individual with the power of invincibility and immortality.
With the greedy idea of achieving the potential of invincibility and immortality, Ravana prayed fervently to Lord Shiva, and Lord Shiva grants him the Atma-Linga with the condition that it shouldn’t touch the ground.
Also Read: ABOUT KUKKE SUBRAMANYA TEMPLE
Later, Lord Ganesha disguises himself as a brahmin to misguide Ravana in placing the Atma-Linga as the God community believed that this could create chaos on Earth.
Finally, Lord Ganesha succeeds in his act which kindles the temper of Ravana. In the process of uprooting, parts of the Atma-Linga lands to five different spots developing a chain of temples or Panch-kshetras devoted to Lord Shiva.
The Aghora or Mridesha, the covering cloth of the Atma-Linga landed on the top of Kanduka hill. This led to naming the place as Mrideshwara, which is presently known as Murudeshwara.
Quick Facts
- Temple Address: Murudeshwar Temple Main Road, Murdeshwar Bhatkal Taluk, Murdeshwar, Karnataka 581350, Bhatkal, Karnataka 581350
- District: Uttara Kannada District
- Affiliation: Hindu
- Deity: Lord Murudeshwar (Lord Shiva)
- Dress Code: The temple does not impose any particular Dress wear.
- Best time To Visit: October – May
- Entry Fee: Nil
- Festivals: Shravan, Mahashivratri
- Temple timings: 6:00 AM to 08:30 PM.
Pooja Timings:-
| Timings | Darshan / Pooja |
| 6:00 am to 1:00 pm | Darshan |
| 6:30 am to 7:30 am | Morning Pooja |
| 6:00 am to 12:00 pm | Rudrabhishekam |
| 12:15 pm to 1:00 pm | Afternoon Pooja |
| 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Temple Remains Closed |
| 3:00 pm to 8:15 pm | Darshan |
| 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm | Rudrabhishekam |
| 7:15 pm to 8:15 pm | Evening Pooja |
Also Read: ABOUT VIRUPAKSHA TEMPLE HAMPI
Astonishing Facts about Murudeshwar Temple
What the Murudeshwar temple is most famous for is the massive Shiva statue it houses.
Known to be the second-highest statue of Sri Anantadrishti, another name for Lord Shiva, the huge structure can be seen from a far. It is 123 feet tall and was built in over two years.
A 20-storey gopura has been built right next to the statue in the temple complex. An elevator has been installed here to provide breathtaking views of the magnificent statue to devotees.
There is a Rameshwara linga at the bottom of the hill but the sanctum where it is placed is off-limits to devotees.
The Sri Murudeshwar Temple is one of the five Temples famous in Karnataka as the Pancha Kshetras of Lord Shiva. The other four Temples are in Nanjanagud, Dharmasthala, Dhareshwara, and Gokarna.
Places to visit near Murudeshwar Temple
Jog Falls (90 kms), Gokarna (80 kms), Maravanthe Beach (55 kms), Idagunji Mahaganapathi Temple (20 kms) are the major attractions to visit near by places.
Things to do in Murudeshwar:
- Murudeshwara Temple: Built on Kanduka hill surrounded by ocean on 3 sides houses the main deity, Sri Mridesa or Murudeshwara.
- Sun Chariot: A golden coloured sun chariot next to the Shiva statue depicts Arjuna receiving geethopadesam (teaching of Bhagavad Gita) from Lord Krishna
- Climb up the temple tower (Raja Gopura): Raja Gopura has 20 stories, accessible by an elevator. Visitors can reach the top floor of the temple tower to get a grand view of the Shiva Statue and ocean.
- Water sports on the beach: Jet Ski rides and boat rides
- Scuba Diving at Netrani Island: A must try adventure sports.
How To Reach Murudeshwar Temple ?
By Air
Mangalore international airport is the nearest located at about 153 km away from the temple. It is connected to all major cities in the country. Taxis are available from the airport to reach Murudeshwar.
By Rail
Murudeshwar railway station is connected to Mangalore and Mumbai. Mangalore is the major railhead and it is connected to all major cities in India. Murudeshwar railway station is just over 3 km from the temple.
By Road
Private as well as state run buses connect Murudeshwar to Mumbai, Kochi and Bengaluru.
Situated on the NH17 which connects Mumbai to Kochi, regular buses ply regularly between the two cities and pass through Mangalore. Bengaluru is connected to many other important cities in the region.
Where To Stay?
Aloka Home Stay
Several options for a stay are available for pilgrims in the town of Murudeshwar as well as in Bhatkal which is 16 km away.
Note: We don’t make any guarantees if the above-stated facts are not correct. If you think any information provided by us is wrong then contact us.