ABOUT MURUDESHWARA
Murudeshwara is town in Uttara Kannada district of
Karnataka. It lies on the coast of Arabian sea. The attractions at this place
are Statue of Lord Shiva a Hindu deity, Murudeshwara Temple, Murudeshwara Fort
and Murudeshwara beach. The Statue of Lord Shiva at Murudeshwara is the tallest
statue of Lord Shiva. The Statue is 37m high. The Murudeshwara Temple is
dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple Gopura is twenty storied and the temple
stands on Kandukagiri. Kandukagiri is sourrounded on three sides by Arabian
sea. The Statue of Lord Shiva lies in the Temple premises. The Murudeshwara
Fort was built by Tipu Sultan. The beach at Murudeshwara offer an excellant
sunset view.
Located in an incredible landscape comprising of shimmering
sea and green hills, Murudeshwara is a famous sacred place sandwiched between
the picturesque Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. This scenic place allures
visitors for its beach, an awesome Shiva statue, and a Shiva Temple embellished
with Chalukya and Kadamba sculptures built in the Dravidian style of
architecture.
The temple located on a hillock, called Kanduka Giri, offers
a magnificent view of the relentless sea waves crashing against the rocks.If
you wish to rediscover your love of solitude and soak in scared energy of
spiritualism, Murudeshwara will surely captivate you.
History
The name
“Murudeshwara” means Shiva or Eeshwara. The significance of this holy town
dates to the time of Ramayana. By penance dedicated to the AtmaLinga, the
divine Lingam of Shiva procures invincibility and immortality to the Hindu
Gods. Ravana, the Lanka King worshipped Shiva with devotion to attain
immortality by obtaining the AtmaLinga. Lord Shiva appeared before Ravana and
asked him what he wanted. By this time Lord Vishnu to change Ravana’s mind on
behest of Narada. As a result of this plot, Ravana asks for Goddess Parvathi,
and Lord Shiva offers him.
On his way back to Lanka Narada tricks Ravana that the real
Parvathi was in Pathala. So Ravana lets off Parvathi and went to Pathala and
marries a king’s daughter thinking that she was Parvathi. When he returns back
to Lanka his mother then asks for linga. Ravana knowing that he was tricked is
angry with Vishnu and meditates to please Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva
appears and Ravana asks for His forgiveness. And this time, Ravana requests the
AtmaLinga as his boon. Lord Shiva agreed to give him the boon with a condition
that it should never be placed on the ground. It is believed that the AtmaLinga
was ever placed on the ground, all the powers would return to Lord Shiva again.
Having obtained his boon, Ravana started back on his journey to Lanka.
Sage Narada, realised that with the AtmaLinga, Ravana may
obtain immortality and create havoc on earth, approached the Lord Ganesh to
help him. As Ravana was nearing Gokarna, Lord Vishnu blocked the sun to make it
appear as dusk. Ravana now had to perform his evening rituals but was worried
because with the AtmaLinga in his hands, he would not be able to do his
rituals. At this time, Lord Ganesh, disguised as a Brahmin boy came near him.
Ravana
requested him to hold the AtmaLinga until he performed his puja, and told him
not to place it on the ground. Ganesh struck a deal with him saying that he
would call Ravana thrice, and if Ravana did not return within that time, he
would place the AtmaLinga on the ground.As predicted, before Ravana could
return after completing his rituals, Ganesh had already placed the AtmaLinga on
the ground. Vishnu then removed his illusion and it was daylight again.
Ravana got
really angry that he was tricked and tried to uproot the AtmaLinga and destroy
it but could not. In a fit of rage he threw the case covering it to a place
called Sajjeshwara, 23 miles away. Then he threw the lid of the case to a
placed called Guneshwara (now Gunavanthe)and Dhareshwara, 10-12 miles away.
Finally, he threw the cloth covering the AtmaLinga to a placed called
Mrideshwara in Kanduka-Giri (Kanduka Hill). Mrideshwara has been renamed to
Murudeshwara.
At Murudeshwar: Saint Bhagiratha awaits as Goddess Ganga
lands on Lord Shiva’s Jata (locks of hair) from Heaven.
Murudeshwara Temple and Raja Gopura :
This temple
is built on the Kanduka Hill which is surrounded on three sides by the waters
of the Arabian Sea. It is a temple dedicated to the Lord Shiva, and a 20-storied
Gopura is being constructed on the temple. Two life-size elephants in concrete
stand guard at the steps leading to the temple. The entire temple and temple
complex, including the 249 feet tall Raja Gopura, which is considered the
tallest gopura in the world, was constructed to its present form by businessman
and philanthropist Mr R N Shetty.
Murudeshwara Fort :
A fort present
behind the temple is said to have been renovated by Tipu Sultan. including the
249 feet tall Raja Gopura, which is considered the tallest gopura in the world,
was constructed to its present form by businessman and philanthropist Mr R N
Shetty.
The Beach :
One can relax
on the pristine sands, swimming, water sportsand boating can be enjoyed. One
can take a long walk or trek along beach line. Handicraft articles made of
special type of grass is unique and worth shopping.
How to reach:
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 Road :
From Bangalore
455 km, from Mangalore 165kms.
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.
FAST FACTS
Temperature:
Summer: 40 -22 C
Winter: 32 -10 C
Best Season :
October to March
Clothing :
Summer- Cotton,
Winter – Light Woollens
Languages spoken :
Kannada, Hindi
