The vibrant
temple town, known for its scenic beauty and rich history, Murudeshwar, is a
popular tourist destination in Karnataka located in the Bhatkal Taluk of North
Karnataka, overlooking the Arabian Sea.
This township is famous world over for
its massive Shiva statue, second tallest in the country. This town is well
connected by road, rail and air, making it easy for travellers to access the
temple town. The nearest airport is Mangalore where flights are operated from
Bangalore, Mumbai and Chennai. One can also reach Murudeshwar through state
buses plying from Bangalore. One of the best journeys reported by numerous
tourists is through the Indian Railways, passing through the scenic cities of
Mangalore or through picturesque Goa via Konkan Railway. Those travelling via
private vehicles can catch NH-17 between Mangalore and Mumbai to
Murudeshwar. Tourists can visit this
lovely destination throughout the year.
Murudeshwar is a
pilgrim's haven, offering those on a religious excursion a chance to witness a
splendid art and architecture through monumental entrance arches, exquisite
temple carving and beautiful sculptures. The Murudeshwar temple and beach are
the main tourist attractions in this township. The temple is guarded by finely
crafted life-sized elephants created in concrete, making for a spectacular
entrance. The elephants are a part of a pilgrim's progress through Karnataka
and are revered by devotees for the strength they display in protecting and
securing the temple. One can witness terrific attention to detail paid by the
sculptors while creating the temple, the arches and the elephants. The deity
residing in the temple is the Shivalinga, believed to have been formed when
Ravana, arch enemy of Lord Rama threw aside the cloth covering the Atmalinga at
Gokarana. This temple has magnificent carvings and statuettes dating back
thousands of years. The Rajagopura at the temple entrance is the tallest in the
world, standing at a height of 249 feet. The Gopura has twenty two floors and
is the only Gopura in the world fit with elevators for public convenience.
One can also
visit Kanduka Hill to view fabulous sculptures of the age. These are exquisite
creations, made by the most skilled craftsmen and sculptors residing in the
town, in honour of Royal Kings and Queens and revered Gods and Goddesses. The
Geetopadesha, young Ganesh receiving the
Atmalinga from Ravana and the Sun Chariot are a few magnificent structures that
dot the picturesque landscape of the hill. At the hilltop is the famous Shiva
statue, drawing devotees from all over the world each year. Underneath the
statue is a large cavern with life-size sculptures depicting the story of
Murudeshwar, narrated to visitors through an interesting light and sound show.
Tourists looking
to relax on sandy shores can visit the Murudeshwar beach, with warm white sands
bordering the azure waters of the Arabian Sea, roaring to the West, and the
calm, placid waters of a gentle river, flowing to the East.
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Entry Fee:
No entry fee.
Visit Murudeshwar
with friends and family for a relaxing day out at the beach or a visit to the
historically important temple, a marvel in Indian architecture.
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