Murudeshwara Temple is located on the Kanduka hill in the Indian state of Karnataka and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This is the second-largest lord shiva statue globally and is located on the Murudeshwar temple.
The main deity worshiped in the temple is Sri Mridya Linga which is believed to be part of the original Atman Linga (Lord Shankar). Travelers come from far and wide to see the vast and grand statue of Bholenath.
The height of the statue of Lord Shiva is so high that it can be seen from a distance. Let us tell you that it took two years to make the idol of Lord Shiva.
The Arabian Sea surrounds Murudeshwar Temple on three sides. To get more information about the Murudeshwar temple and its history, definitely read our article thoroughly.
History of Murudeshwara Temple
You know that the period coincides with the Ramayana. It is said that when Lankan husband Ravana, after worshiping Lord Shiva, was going towards Lanka with his Atmalinga, then he had to keep the Atmalinga on the ground on the way. As a result, Shiva Linga was established at the same place.
Ravana tried his best to lift the Shiva Linga; after failing, he established the Shivling at the same place and moved towards his city. The cloth with which the Atmalinga was covered flew off and fell into the Mrideshwar, known as Murudeshwar.
Structure of Murudeshwara Temple
The Murudeshwar Temple height is 123 ft, and also the massive statue of Lord Shiva presents a breathtaking view. The main gate of the Murudeshwar temple is known as Gopura. The entire surface has been intricately carved, and apart from the sanctum sanctorum, the entire temple has been modernized.
Worship Timings at Murudeshwar Temple
Darshan Timings: 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Puja Timings: 6:30 am to 7:30 am.
Rudrabhishekam: 6:00 am to 12:00 noon.
Afternoon Puja Timings: 12:15 PM to 1:00 PM.
The temple remains closed from 1 pm to 3 pm.
Darshan Timings: 3:00 PM to 8:15 PM.
Rudrabhishekam: 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Evening Puja Timings: 7:15 PM to 8:15 PM.
Murudeshwar Temple Entry Fee
No entry fee is charged from the devotees visiting the Murudeshwar temple. But Rudrabhishekam ticket at Murudeshwara temple is Rs 55 for two persons.
Who built the Murudeshwar temple?
The Murudeshwar temple was built by RN Shetty, a businessman, and philanthropist.
Major Tourist Places To Visit In Nearby Murudeshwar Temple
Among the significant places to visit around Murudeshwar, Statue Park is one of the major attractions of Murudeshwar. About 15 meters high statue of Lord Shiva is installed in the Statue Park, which remains the center of tourist attraction. The park knows its beautiful environment, flowers & natural greenery. Along with this, a flock of ducks and waterfalls in the beautiful pond in Murudeshwar are worth seeing.
- Murudeshwar Fort
Among the places to see around Murudeshwar Temple, Murudeshwar Fort is a major attraction. Let us inform you that Murudeshwar Fort is situated behind the famous Murudeshwar Temple. The history of Murudeshwar Fort is related to the kings belonging to the Vijayanagara Empire. It is believed that no one after Tipu Sultan had renovated Murudeshwar Fort.
- Bhatkal Beach Murudeshwar
Bhatkal Beach is a major tourist destination that invites tourists to have fun on its beautiful velvety sand. Bhatkal Beach is situated on the banks of the Arabian Sea and is surrounded by attractive coconut groves.
- Netrani Island Murudeshwar
Tourists like to visit Netrani Island during their visit to Murudeshwar tourist place. Netrani Island, also known as ‘Pigeon Island,’ is situated on the sea coast in Murudeshwar, Karnataka. In the calm waters of the Arabian Sea, tourists can enjoy scuba diving, catch and watch different types of fish.
- Jamia Masjid Murudeshwar
Tourists come in large numbers to see the famous Jamia Masjid of Murudeshwar. Jamia Masjid is located in Bhatkal and is considered to be one of the oldest mosques. The structure of the three-story Jamia Masjid has Persian inscriptions, ancient history, and the scent of spirituality.
- Murudeshwar Beach
Murudeshwar beach attracts tourists very much. Tourists visiting Murudeshwar Temple never forget to head towards Murudeshwar Beach. You can be a part of water sports at Murudeshwar Beach, and this beach is also known as a great picnic destination for tourists. Boat rides near Murudeshwar Temple are popular among tourists. The attractions of Murudeshwar Beach include beautiful hills, lush green trees, beautiful coconut trees, flying seagulls, kingfisher birds, etc.
The month of Sawan is going on, and if you want to see Lord Shiva, take the first flight and reach Karnataka. The second tallest statue of Shiva Shankar Bhole is established in Bhatkal tehsil in Mangalore, Karnataka, known as Murudeshwar Temple. Lord Shiva has many names, one of them is Murudeshwar.
For this reason, the temple was named Murudeshwar Temple. The idol of Lord Shiva established here is of silver color, which is very beautiful to see. As soon as the sunlight falls, this idol shines like silver.
This temple town is situated at a beautiful and peaceful place on the banks of the Arabian Sea, 165 km from Mangalore. Murudeshwar Temple Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches of Karnataka.
Temple History was connected with Ravan
The history of this temple is related to Ravana, so this temple is also remarkable. Kanduka hill is surrounded by water on three sides. For tourists, coming here is like a day.
On one side, there is a vision of Lord Bhole, and on the other side, there is a place surrounded by sea, which is no less than heaven in itself.
History of Murudeshwar Temple
Now let us move towards the belief for which this temple is famous. It is told in the stories that when Ravana was doing penance to Lord Shiva to get the boon of immortality, Shivaji, pleased with his penance, gave him a Shivling, which is called ‘Atmalinga’ and said that if you want to become immortal, If yes, take it to Lanka and establish it, but keep one thing in mind that wherever you keep it, it will be established there.
Second Tallest Statue in the World
The idol of Lord Shiva built outside the Murudeshwar temple is the second tallest Shiva idol in the world, and its height is 123 feet. It can be seen from far away in the Arabian Sea. It took two years to build and was built by Kashinath and other sculptors of Shivamogga. The local RN Shetty built it and spent around 5 crores Indian Rupees.
This idol has been made in such a way that the rays of the sun keep falling on it, and it keeps shining.
Hotels in Mangalore
Now the biggest question is, where did you stay after reaching here. You will find many hotels and lodges around Bhatkal, where you can easily enjoy this whole place by staying. The hotel restaurants present here will easily come in your budget. Here is a list of some hotels, which will be helpful for you in this journey.
- Shree Vinayaka Residency
- RNS Guest House
- Hotel Kola Paradise
- Central Lodge
- Panchavajra Homestay
- Raja Gopur – Raja Gopur
Gopra is generally the main gate of any Hindu temple. Rajagopura is a 20-story building, which is the entrance to the Murudeshwara temple. Devotees can use the lift in the gopura to reach the upper floor and see the Murudeshwar temple and Shiva statue and the sea spread over miles away. Fort, Garden, and all those things around Murudeshwar Temple where you can spend the whole day.
Murudeshwar Temple and the World’s Second Largest Lord Shiva Statue
Murudeshwara is a small place for pilgrimage on the coast of Karnataka, 160 km from Mangalore International Airport. It is located in the north. “Murudeshwar” is another name for Lord Shiva.
Near the Murudeshwar beach, there are two beautiful temples with majestic statues. This small and beautiful town is famous for the world’s second tallest statue of Lord Shiva and the Murudeshwara Temple. Two lively concrete elephants guard the 20-story high Gopira on the stairs leading inside the temple.
The Murudeshwara Temple is built on the Kanduka hill, which the Arabian Sea surrounds on all three sides. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and like all other major South Indian temples, the temple has a 20-story gopura.
This 249 feet tall gopura is considered to be the largest gopuram in the world.
Lord Shiva Statue
Apart from this, there is a huge idol of Lord Shiva in the temple premises, which is visible from a distance. The height of the statue is 123 feet, and it took almost two years to build. The idol is designed so that the sunlight falls directly on it, and thus it looks very spectacular. The idol has four arms and is adorned with gold.
World’s second-tallest Shiva statue, 123 feet high and which was looted by Abba of Tipu Sultan.
There are many temples of Shiva, and the glory of those temples is unique. Because it is elementary to please Shiva, he becomes happy even offering only one piece with a sincere heart.
Therefore, he is pleased with the devotion of the devotees. Lord Shiva appeared to him and only then were temples built in the form of a manifest Shivalinga. A unique miracle is seen in pagodas in India. One of these temples is located in Bhatkal, Karnataka state.
This Mahadev temple is famous for the name Murudeshwar. The history of the Murudeshwar temple is said to be from the Ramayana period, and it is said that the second most giant statue of Shiva is established here.
This holy temple is the main center of faith of the people.
Apart from the serene beach of Murudeshwar, this place is also trendy among the devotees here. Shri Mridesalinga, another form of Lord Shiva, is worshiped in this temple.
The Murudeshwar temple is surrounded on three sides; the view of the temple set on a serene hill is very picturesque.
Apart from the holy temple of Hindus, Murudeshwar is also considered a tourist place, located in Bhatkal, Karnataka state.
There are also some extraordinary places to visit here.
Height of Shiva Statue
Apart from this, there is a massive idol of Lord Shiva on temple premises, which is visible from a distance.
The height of the statue is 123 feet, and it took almost two years to build.
The idol is designed so that the sunlight falls directly on it, and thus it looks beautiful.
The idol has four arms and is adorned with gold. However, gusts of strong winds rising from the Arabian Sea blew off the color of the arms, and the rain disintegrated the color.
Gopra is generally the main gate of the temple.
Rajagopura is mainly a 20-story building, which is the entrance to the Murudeshwar temple. Devotees can use the lift in this gopura to reach the upper story and see the Murudeshwar temple and Shiva statue and the sea spread over miles away.
In OpIndia’s chain of temples, we take you today to a heavenly place established from the Ramayana period, dedicated to Lord Shiva, and surrounded on three sides by the Arabian Sea.
The specialty of this sacred place of Hindus is that the ‘AtmaLinga’ of Lord Shiva is established here. The Gopuram of about 250 feet is located in the temple premises, which is the highest Gopuram in the world.
Apart from this, a giant 123 feet high statue of Lord Shiva has also been made here. Hyder Ali heavily damaged it, but later, a local merchant gave the temple its present grand form.
History Related to the Ramayana period
In the Shiva Purana, the Atmalinga of Lord Shiva has been mentioned. Ravana pleased Lord Shiva with his penance to obtain the boon of immortality and to become a super-powerful
and obtained the Atmalinga from him.
After this, when Ravana tried to take that Atmalinga to Lanka, Lord Shiva put a condition that wherever this Atmalinga is placed on the ground, it will be established there. After that, no one will be able to lift it.
The same thing happened due to religious reasons. Lord Shiva is also known as Murudeshwar; hence the town where this temple is situated got the name Murudeshwar and the temple’s name as Murudeshwar temple.
Murudeshwara Temple is located in Bhatkal Tehsil of Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. This temple is situated on the Kanduka hill, which the Arabian Sea surrounds on three sides. Apart from this, this region is situated in the lap of hills of Western Ghats. This is the reason that, along with spiritual divinity, natural beauty is also seen here.
Murudeshware Temple structure
The most prominent feature of the Murudeshwar temple is Lord Shiva’s huge statue and the ‘Raj Gopura’ located in the temple complex, which is the world’s tallest gopura. Two living elephants of concrete have been carved at the beginning of the stairs leading inside the temple. The Atmalinga of Lord Shiva is installed in the sanctum of the temple.
Apart from this, a huge 123-feet high statue of Lord Shiva is also a major attraction here. This idol of Lord Shiva has four hands, which are decorated with gold. Like any temple of Dravidian architecture, a Gopura has been constructed in this temple, equivalent to a 20-story building whose height is about 250 feet.
After the loss in the Islamic invasion, the merchant gave the present form; Like many other temples in India, this temple also succumbed to Islamic fundamentalism. The ancient form of the Murudeshwar temple was destroyed by the Islamic ruler Hyder Ali. After this, the present visible form of this temple was built by a local merchant.
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