Sri Murudeshwar Temple: Timing, Location, Dress Code, Pooja Details

Are you looking for a place to go with spirituality, beautiful architecture, and a beach? The Murudeshwar Temple, also called the Sri Murudeshwara Shiva Temple, is the place to go. With its tall Gopuram and intricate carvings, this Hindu temple in the Indian state of Karnataka is a sight to behold. But the temple is more than just beautiful.

It is said to have been built on the spot where Lord Shiva appeared to the demon king Ravana. And if that wasn’t enough, the temple is near a stunningly beautiful beach, making it the perfect place for spiritual seekers and beach bums. So, why don’t you do it? Pack your bags and prepare for an unforgettable journey to the Murudeshwar Temple.

History of Murudeshwar Temple

In the chapters of the epic Ramayana, history and myths say that Kaikesi, who was Ravana’s mother, was also a devotee of Shiv. She would make Lingas from sand from the beach and pray to them every day. The sea, on the other hand, washed the Lingam every night. Ravana saw how sad the mother was and told her he would go to Mount Kailash and bring back Lord Shiv’s Atma Lingam for her.

Ravana went to Mount Kailash and did hard penance to try to get Lord Shiv to like him. In the famous Shiva Tandava Stotram, he sang about his greatness. He gave one of his ten heads to Lord Shiv as a gift. Lord Shiva finally let him have his wish. Lord Shiv gave it to Ravana after he asked for it.

Then, Lord Shiv took the Atma Linga out of his heart and gave it to Ravana because he couldn’t put it down until he reached his destination. It will stick if he keeps the Lingam in place, and nothing can move it. Ravana agreed, and then he headed south toward his kingdom. The other Lords were scared because they knew Ravana would use the Atma Linga to make trouble in the world.

Narada approached Lord Ganesha and asked him to stop Ravana on his way. Lord Ganesh knew Ravana’s daily habits, especially since he bathed every night. Lord Ganesh turned himself into a small boy with the help of Lord Vishnu, who covered the Sun to make it look like dusk. Ravana wanted to bathe but couldn’t get the idol out of the way.

Lord Ganesha went by dressed as a boy. Ravana called him and gave him the idol with the instruction that he shouldn’t put it on the ground. Before Ravana returned from his bath, the boy put the idol on the ground. Lord Vishnu unblocked the Sun, and it was light again. Gokarna is the name of the place where Lord Ganesh put the statue.

Ravana got angry and tried to pull the Linga out of the ground but couldn’t. He threw the box covering the Linga, and it landed in a place called Sajjeshwara. The lid of the box that held the Linga fell in Gunavanthe, and the string that covered the Linga fell in Dhareshwara. The cloth that covered the Linga fell in Murudeshwar.

When he found out about this, Lord Shiv went to these five places and worshipped the Lingas. He said that these places would be known as the Pancha Kshetras and that anyone who worships there will be forgiven of all their sins.

Significance of Murudeshwar Temple

The famous and holy Linga of Lord Shiv is covered by a cloth in the Murudeshwar Temple. This is a very important part of the temple. The Linga used to be inside Lord Shiva’s heart. Hinduism says that all the Gods became immortal and unbeatable by worshipping Lord Shiva’s Linga.

But Ravana got it as a reward for his repentance from the Lord.

One of the five temples in Karnataka, known as the Pancha Kshetras of Lord Shiva, is the Murudeshwar Temple. The other four Temples are Nanjanagud, Dharmasthala, Dhareshwara, and Gokarna.

Also, the biggest thing to see at the Murudeshwar Temple is the huge statue of Lord Shiva. At 123 feet tall, the statue is the second-largest Shiva statue in the world. The Kailashnath Mahadev statue in Nepal is the tallest statue of Lord Shiv. The statue is made so that the first rays of light from the Sun that hit the coast shine on Lord Shiv first.

At 237.5 feet tall, the towering Gopuram at the entrance to the Murudeshwar Temple is the second tallest Gopuram in India. The unique thing about this Gopuram is that people can go inside and climb to the top, looking out over the area. The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, Tamilnadu, has the tallest Gopuram.

Some Sevas, like Abhishekam, can be done to the Linga of Lord Rameshwara by the devotees themselves.

In the main shrine of Lord Murudeshwara, there is a lamp or deepam that is said to have been burning since the Murudeshwar Temple was built. People who worship it also believe that putting oil in it and then looking at their image in the oil will bring them luck and wealth.

Architecture Murudeshwar Temple

This temple is built on three sides of Kanduka Hill, which has the Arabian Sea. It is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, and in front of it is a 20-story tower called the Raja gopura. From the top of the Raja gopura, where a lift has been put in, you can get a breathtaking view of the 123-foot Shiva idol.

At the bottom of the hill is a Rameshwara linga where people can do their own seva. Next to the statue of Shiva, a Shaneswara temple has been built. Two concrete elephants the size of people watch over the steps that lead up to it. R. N. Shetty, a businessman and philanthropist, built the temple and temple complex as it is today.

The 237.5-foot-tall Raja Gopura is one of the tallest parts of the complex. The temple has been completely updated, except for the sanctum sanctorum, which is still dark and calm. Mridesa Linga, also called Murudeshwara, is the main God.

The linga is about two feet below the ground and is considered a piece of the first Atma Linga. Devotees doing special sevas like Abhisheka, Rudrabhisheka, Rathotsava, etc., can see the deity by standing in front of the threshold of the sanctum.

Oil lamps held by the priests near the Linga light up the deity. The Linga is a rough rock stuck in a hole in the ground.

Sri Murudeshwara Shiva Temple Timings

The temple is open to visitors from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., giving you plenty of time to look around and feel spiritual. It’s best to get there early to avoid crowds and have time to look at the temple’s beautiful carvings and architecture. On holidays and special events, the temple’s hours may differ, so it’s always a good idea to check beforehand.

Murudeshwar Temple Dress Code

The Murudeshwar Temple in Karnataka, India, does not have a strict dress code for visitors, but it is recommended to dress modestly and respectfully while visiting the temple.

Both men and women are advised to wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. Shorts and sleeveless tops are not recommended for either gender. It is also customary to remove footwear before entering the temple.

Festivals Celebrated at Murudeshwar Temple

The festival of Mahashivaratri takes place in February or March. Thousands of pilgrims from Karnataka come to the shrine to ask God to bless them. Also, devotees fast and sing bhajans all night and into the next day. The festival shows that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married. Some people also think this is the day when Lord Shiva drank the poison that made him blue during the mythological “churning of Amrit.”

Karthik Purnima is a holiday that is usually held in November or December during the month of Karthik. On this day, people believe that Lord Shiva destroyed the three demon cities of the Tripurasura demon. These cities were known as Tripura. Some people also think that the day marked the birth of Lord Karthikeyan, also called Murugan and Lord Shiva’s son.

Best Time To Visit Murudeshwara Temple

October to March is the best time to go to the Murudeshwara Shiva Temple. There, Karthik Purnima and Mahashivratri are two of the most important holidays. Most of the time, Karthik Purnima happens between November and December. Mahashivratri is celebrated in all of Gokarna’s well-known temples in February or March.

You can plan your trip so that you can go to the temple during one of these festivals if you want to. But if you want to visit the place when it is less crowded, the best time is from August to October. April through July is not good because the weather is very hot and might rain a lot.

How to reach Murudeshwar Temple, Karnataka?

Location Map for Murudeshwara Shiva Temple Gokarna

By Air

The closest airport is Mangalore International Airport, which is about 153 km to the south. It goes to all the big cities in the country and a few places outside the country. To get to Murudeshwar from the airport, you can take a taxi.

By Train

Mangalore is the main railway station, and all of India’s major cities can be reached from there. The Murudeshwar train station is just over 2 km east of the town, and buses and auto-rickshaws can take you there.

By Road

Buses run by the government and private companies go from Murudeshwar to Mumbai, Kochi, and Bangalore. Mangalore is on National Highway 17 (NH17), which connects Mumbai and Kochi. There are regular buses that go between the two cities and stop in Mangalore. Many other important cities in the area are linked to Bengaluru.

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