Murudeshwar Temple, Murudeshwar - Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

About Murudeshwar Temple

At a distance of 2 km from Murudeshwar Railway Station, and 162 km from Mangalore, Murudeshwar Temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated at Murudeshwar, Karnataka. It is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in Karnataka, and among the must include places Murudeshwar tour packages.

Murudeshwar Temple is dedicated to Sri Murudeshwara, one of the many forms of Lord Shiva. The town was originally called 'Mrideshwara' before being renamed Murudeshwar following the temple's establishment. This temple is famous for its impressive 37-meter statue of Shiva, which is the tallest in India, as well as its gopura, which reaches a height of 237 feet, making it the second tallest in the country.

History & Mythology of Murudeshwar Temple

Murudeshwara Temple is situated atop Kanduka Hill, which is flanked by the Arabian Sea on three sides. The origins of this temple town trace back to the Treta Yug, during the era of the Ramayana. Ravana, the king of Lanka, undertook rigorous penance in the Himalayas for a millennium to appease Lord Shiva for Atma Linga. Ultimately, Lord Shiva was satisfied and bestowed upon Ravana the Atma Linga, stipulating that it must never be placed on the ground, as it would become established wherever it touched the earth. With the precious Atma Linga in his possession, Ravana set off for Lanka. This made Narada to realize that Ravana, wielding the Atma Linga, could wreak havoc on the world by achieving immortality, leading him to seek assistance from Lord Ganesha and Lord Vishnu.

As Ravana journeyed towards Lanka, Lord Vishnu devised a plan to obscure the sunlight, creating an illusion of dusk that would compel Ravana to perform his evening rituals, thereby necessitating the placement of the Linga on the ground. At that moment, Ganesha, disguised as a Brahmin boy, approached him. Ravana requested Ganesha to hold the Atma Linga until he completed his rituals, cautioning him not to set it down. Ganesha agreed, stipulating that he would call Ravana three times, and if he did not return by then, he would place the Atma Linga on the ground.

Ravana returned to discover that Ganesha had already set the Atma-Linga upon the ground. At that moment, Vishnu dispelled his illusion, revealing daylight once more. Realizing he had been deceived, Ravana attempted to uproot and destroy the linga. The force he exerted caused fragments to scatter, with one piece from the head of the linga reportedly landing in what is now Surathkal. Subsequently, he resolved to dismantle the covering of the Atma-Linga, hurling the case to a location known as Sajjeshwar, situated 37 kilometers away. He then cast the lid of the case towards Guneshwar (currently Gunavanthe) and Dhareshwar, which are located 16 to 19 kilometers distant. Ultimately, he threw the cloth that covered the Atma-Linga to a site called Mrideshwar on Kanduka Hill, now referred to as Murudeshwar.

Architecture of Murudeshwar Temple

The temple was built with Chalukya and Kadamba sculptures in the Dravidian style. The temple is mainly built of granite. The temple has a massive 237 feet high, 20 storied gopura, the second tallest in the world, called the Raja Gopura. It was constructed in 2008, and has a lift that takes the visitors to the top floor, from where they can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Shiva statue, the sea, and the greenery. In the sanctum, Lord Shiva graces in the form of Linga, 2 feet below the ground.

The Geetopadesha, Sun chariot, and the sculpture of Lord Ganesh receiving the Atma Linga from Ravana are the other sculptures built on the Kanduka hill. The 123 feet high Shiva statue is the second largest Shiva sculpture in the world and has become a landmark of Murudeshwar. As one ascends the hillock, there is a statue of Jattiga seated on a horse. There is a huge fort behind the temple, said to have been renovated by Tipu Sultan of Mysore. This is a great place to watch the sunset.

Festivals of Murudeshwar Temple

Maha Shivaratri is the major festival celebrated at Murudeshwar Temple on a grand scale, attracting thousands of people from Karnataka and the nearby states. Besides, Kartika Pournami is celebrated with great pomp and fervor at this temple during the month of November every year.

Dress Code & Other Restrictions

The recommended dress code for the Murudeshwar Temple in Karnataka emphasizes modest attire in accordance with Hindu customs. Men are encouraged to wear traditional garments, such as dhotis or mundus, complemented by a shawl or angavastram draped over the upper body. Women are advised to wear sarees, salwar kameez, or other traditional clothing that adequately covers their shoulders and legs. It is important to note that jeans, shorts, and t-shirts are not permitted within the temple grounds.

While there is no formal prohibition against non-Hindus entering the Murudeshwar Temple, adherence to the dress code is expected.

Murudeshwar Temple Timings

Monday: 3 AM - 1 PM and 3 PM - 8 PM
Tuesday: 3 AM - 1 PM and 3 PM - 8 PM
Wednesday: 3 AM - 1 PM and 3 PM - 8 PM
Thursday: 3 AM - 1 PM and 3 PM - 8 PM
Friday: 3 AM - 1 PM and 3 PM - 8 PM
Saturday: 3 AM - 1 PM and 3 PM - 8 PM
Sunday: 3 AM - 1 PM and 3 PM - 8 PM

Murudeshwar Temple Entry Fee

General Entry is Free
Special darshan available for Rs. 200

Best Time to Visit Murudeshwar Temple

Winter season from October to February is the best time to visit Murudeshwar Temple. In February, visitors have the opportunity to partake in the much-anticipated Maha Shivarathri festival, attracting numerous pilgrims who regard this site as sacred. This timeframe also marks the peak season for tourists, particularly those interested in scuba diving. Conversely, the period from June to September is characterized by significant rainfall and is best avoided. Additionally, the summer months are marked by high temperatures and humidity, making visits to Murudeshwar less comfortable.

How to Reach Murudeshwar Temple

Mangalore, located approximately 162 kilometers from Murudeshwar, serves as the nearest airport to Murudeshwar. The Murudeshwar Railway Station is situated on the Konkan Railway line, which offers convenient train connections from Mangalore, Trivandrum, Bangalore, Karwar, and Mumbai. Additionally, there are frequent bus services that facilitate travel to Murudeshwar from all the major towns and cities within Karnataka.