GOKARNA - MURUDESHWAR - YANA - MAGOD FALLS (FROM HUBLI)

About Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple

At a distance of 500 m from Gokarna Bus Station, Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple is a sacred Hindu temple situated in Gokarna, Karnataka. It is one of the important places of pilgrimage in South India, and among the must include places in Gokarna tour packages.

The Mahabaleshwar Temple in Gokarna enshrines the Aatmalinga or Pranalinga of Lord Shiva. This is one of the best places to visit in Gokarna. This temple is regarded second only to the Kashi Vishwanatha Temple in Varanasi and is often called the Dakshina Kashi. The temple is said to be one of the seven sacred Muktikshetras and is visited by Hindus to perform the death rites for their ancestors.

History of Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple

Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple in Gokarna was originally built by King Mayurasharma of the Kadamba dynasty in the 4th century. The renowned classical Sanskrit author, Kalidasa, references the 'Lord .....

At a distance of 800 meters from Gokarna Bus Station and 300 meters from Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna Beach is also known as Main Beach and is also known as Indian Beach. Gokarna Beach is the closest beach to Gokarna town.

It is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Gokarna. This beach is mainly used by Indian pilgrims because it is located right behind the Mahabaleshwar Temple. As per the religious customs, pilgrims usually visit the temple after a dip in the waters of this beach (not mandatory though).

It is a long open beach and also known for surfing. Tourists can enjoy the view of the rocky mountains on one side and Arabian Sea on the other, while reaching Gokarna Beach. The Gangavalli river meets the sea near the beach. This part of the Arabian Sea is little aggressive and swimming here is not recommended.

The beach may not look very pretty due to a lot of litter, but this beach is famous for sunset. .....

At a distance of 11 km from Kumta, 22 km from Gokarna, 31 km from Honavar, 59 km from Karwar and 56 km from Murudeshwar, Mirjan Fort is a beautiful fort located in the village of Mirjan near Gokarna. It is one of the most popular heritage places to visit in Gokarna.

Located on the banks of the Aganashini River, a tributary of Sharavathi River, the Mirjan Fort is known for its architectural elegance, and is one of the must include places in Gokarna Tour Packages. Built over an area of about 10 acres, the fort is approached through a series of wide steps that lead to the interiors of the fort. It is a double-walled fort built using laterite stones and has high walls and bastions with high turrets. The fort has four entrances and is surrounded by a moat with interconnected wells.

Mirjan Fort has .....

At a distance of 6 km from Gokarna Bus Station, Om Beach is a pristine beach situated in Gokarna. Along the Arabian Sea coast, it is one of the most famous Karnataka beaches, and among the must visit Gokarna tourist places.

Om Beach is the most famous beach in Gokarna. It is shaped as two semi crescents joined together forming the shape of Om (Hindu religious symbol) hence the name Om Beach. Om Beach is further along the coast from Kudle Beach. The curve of the symbol forms a pool which can be a safe bathing area for even non-swimmers.

Blessed with tropical weather, the area has plenty of palm trees dotting its coastline. Its azure waters are ideal for an exciting dolphin spotting trip. Om Beach is the center for several water sport activities such as boating, surfing, water-skiing, parasailing, and banana boat rides, which will surely spike your adrenaline .....

At a distance of 14 km from Honavar, and 15 km from Murudeshwar, Ganapati Temple is a Hidu temple situated at Idagunji village near Murudeshwar. It is one of the famous temples in this region, and among the popular places to visit in Murudeshwar.

Located on the left bank of River Sharawati, the Idagunji Temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. According to the legend, Lord Ganapati stayed in this place which was known as Kunjaranya. It is said to be a place of penance selected by ancient Rishis. The importance of Idagunji is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. This temple is one of the major pilgrimage centers in Karnataka and attracts more than 1 million devotees per year.

Lord Vinayaka can be seen here in a standing posture, which is a rare sight. Vinayaka Chathurthi is the major festival celebrated here. Idagunji can be reached by bus from Honavar .....

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 .....

At a distance of 2 km from Murudeshwar Railway Station, the statue of Lord Shiva is the second biggest statue of Lord Shiva in the world after the statue in Nepal. The 123 feet (37m) huge towering statue of Lord Shiva is surrounded by the Arabian Sea is the major attraction of Murudeshwar town along with famous Murudeshwar Temple. It is one of the top places to visit in Murudeshwar.

The statue was built by Shivamogga's Kashinath and several other sculptors, financed by businessman Mr R.N. Shetty, at a cost of approximately 50 million rupees. It took about 2 years to build the statue. The statue carved with so much attention to detail. There are many life-size statues of Gods and Demons around the Shiva statue. The Geetopadesha, Sun chariot, the sculpture of Lord Ganesh receiving the Atma Linga from Ravana and others dot the landscape of the Kanduka hill. On .....

At a distance of 2 km from Murudeshwar Railway Station, Murudeshwar Beach is a beautiful beach situated just beside the Kanduka Giri in Murudeshwar. It is one of the prime places to visit in Murudeshwar, and among the best beaches in Karnataka.

The serene Murudeshwar Beach is located near Murudeshwar Temple. This is a splendid and clean beach surrounded by hills, the wide Arabian Sea on the west, coconut and areca groves close by, attracts tourists throughout the year as part of Murudeshwar Tour Packages.

Travellers can indulge in swimming, fishing, and sunbathing at this beach. The waters here are cool and gentle waves for swimming, but strong currents do frequent the shores during high tides. Moreover, family boat .....

At a distance of 24 km from Benne Hole Falls, 30 km from Kumta, 55 km from Sirsi, 86 km from Karwar, and 103 km from Jog Falls, Yana is a village in Uttar Kannada district in Karnataka. It is well known for the unique rock formations in the Western Ghats.

Among the most prominent places to visit in Jog Falls, Yana is famous for two massive rock formations known as the Bhairaveshwara Shikhara and the Mohini Shikhara. The huge rocks are composed of solid black, crystalline Karst limestone. Bhairaveshwara Shikhara is 120 m (390 feet) in height, while the Mohini Shikhara, which is smaller, is 90 m (300 feet) in height. A cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is found at the base of the Bhairaveshwara Shikhara. Water drips from the projecting rocks over the Shiva lingam, and people call this water Gangodbhava. The idol of Goddess Parvathi is found at the base .....

At a distance of 18 km from Yellapur, 60 km from Sirsi, 81 km from Dandeli, 88 km from Hubli, 107 km from Gokarna, and 117 km from Jog Falls, Magod Falls is a group of waterfalls situated at Magod village in Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka. It is one of the best waterfalls in Karnataka, and among the must include places in Dandeli Tour Packages.

Magod Falls is engulfed amidst the trials of the Western Ghats of Karnataka. Formed over Bedti River, also known as Gangavalli River, it is a two-tiered waterfall that falls from 200m in cumulative height and then split into two segments. It is one of the popular tourist places in Dandeli. The thickly wooded countryside, the roar of gushing water, and a beautiful view combine to make this spot one of the best .....