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Murudeshwar Temple
Shiva (Murudeshwara) · Uttara Kannada, Karnataka
॥ ॐ नमः शिवाय ॥
The Murudeshwar Temple stands on a headland that juts into the Arabian Sea on the Karnataka coast, crowned by one of the tallest statues of Shiva in the world. With a towering twenty-storey gateway and the great seated lord gazing out over the water, the temple joins an old legend of the Atmalinga to a setting of rare drama where hills, temple and sea meet.
The colossal Shiva by the sea
The seated statue of Shiva at Murudeshwar rises around forty metres, among the tallest images of the lord anywhere, looking out over the Arabian Sea from the Kanduka hill. Below it the temple and its great Raja Gopura — a gateway of twenty storeys, some seventy-five metres high — make the headland visible far along the coast.
The legend of the Atmalinga
Murudeshwar is bound to the same tale as Gokarna: when the demon Ravana was carrying the Atmalinga of Shiva and was tricked by Ganesha into setting it down, the coverings of the lingam were flung across the coast, and one such piece is said to have fallen here, giving the place its sanctity. The lord is worshipped as Murudeshwara, and the legend ties the headland to the holiest of Shaiva stories.
A modern temple complex
The grand complex seen today was built in the 20th century by the industrialist R. N. Shetty, who raised the colossal statue, the towering gopura and the surrounding halls on the old sacred site. The headland, ringed on three sides by the sea, with its beach and hills, has made Murudeshwar both a pilgrimage and a place of coastal beauty.
How to reach the temple
- By road: Murudeshwar is on the Karnataka coast, about 165 km from Mangaluru and near Bhatkal in Uttara Kannada.
- By train: Murudeshwar has its own station on the Konkan Railway.
- By air: Mangaluru is the nearest airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is special about Murudeshwar Temple?
It stands on a headland in the Arabian Sea, crowned by one of the tallest statues of Shiva in the world (about forty metres), with a twenty-storey gateway tower.
How tall is the Shiva statue?
The seated Shiva at Murudeshwar rises around forty metres, among the tallest images of the lord anywhere.
What is the Atmalinga legend?
When Ravana was tricked into setting down the Atmalinga of Shiva, its coverings were flung across the coast; one piece is said to have fallen at Murudeshwar, giving the place its sanctity.
Who built the modern temple complex?
The grand complex, the colossal statue and the towering Raja Gopura were built in the 20th century by the industrialist R. N. Shetty.
How do I reach Murudeshwar?
It is on the Karnataka coast near Bhatkal, with its own station on the Konkan Railway; Mangaluru is the nearest airport.
What is the main festival?
Maha Shivaratri is the great festival at the seaside temple.
॥ हर हर महादेव ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Deity | Shiva as Murudeshwara |
| Special | One of the world’s tallest Shiva statues (~40 m) |
| Tower | Twenty-storey Raja Gopura (~75 m) |
| Legend | A covering of the Atmalinga fell here |
| Setting | Sea headland on the Arabian Sea |
| Main Festival | Maha Shivaratri |