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Tour Destinations In
Karnataka - Murdeshwar |
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Earlier History
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Murudeshwara temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, lies in the
holy beach town in the Bhatkal Taluk of Uttara Kannada
district in the state of Karnataka, India. Situated between
the Honnavar and Bhatkal town(about 12kms) The statue of
Shiva here is the world's tallest and it lies on the coast
of the Arabian Sea.
The Statue of Shiva with Ravana handing Atma Linga to
Bramhin boy(Lord Ganesha).
The name "Murudeshwara" means Shiva or Eeshwara. The
significance of this holy town dates to the time of
Ramayana. By penance dedicated to the AtmaLinga, the divine
Lingam of Shiva procures invincibility and immortality to
the Hindu Gods. Ravana, the Lanka King worshipped Shiva with
devotion to |
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attain immortality by obtaining the AtmaLinga. Lord Shiva
appeared before Ravana and asked him what he wanted. By this
time Lord Vishnu to change Ravana's mind on behest of Narada.
As a result of this plot, Ravana asks for Goddess Parvathi,
and Lord Shiva offers him.
On his way back to Lanka Narada tricks Ravana that the real
Parvathi was in Pathala. So Ravana lets off Parvathi and
went to Pathala and marries a king's daughter thinking that
she was Parvathi. When he returns back to Lanka his mother
then asks for linga. Ravana knowing that he was tricked is
angry with Vishnu and meditates to please Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva appears and Ravana asks for His forgiveness. And
this time, Ravana requests the AtmaLinga as his boon. Lord
Shiva agreed to give him the boon with a condition that it
should never be placed on the ground. It is believed that
the AtmaLinga was ever placed on the ground, all the powers
would return to Lord Shiva again. Having obtained his boon,
Ravana started back on his journey to Lanka.
Sage Narada, realised that with the AtmaLinga, Ravana may
obtain immortality and create havoc on earth, approached the
Lord Ganesh to help him. As Ravana was nearing Gokarna, Lord
Vishnu blocked the sun to make it appear as dusk. Ravana now
had to perform his evening rituals but was worried because
with the AtmaLinga in his hands, he would not be able to do
his rituals. At this time, Lord Ganesh, disguised as a
Brahmin boy came near him. |
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Ravana requested him to hold the AtmaLinga until he
performed his puja, and told him not to place it on the
ground. Ganesh struck a deal with him saying that he would
call Ravana thrice, and if Ravana did not return within that
time, he would place the AtmaLinga on the ground.As
predicted, before Ravana could return after completing his
rituals, Ganesh had already placed the AtmaLinga on the
ground. Vishnu then removed his illusion and it was daylight
again.
Ravana got really angry that he was tricked and tried to
uproot the AtmaLinga and destroy it but could not. In a fit
of rage he threw the case covering it to a place called
Sajjeshwara, 23 miles away.Then he threw the lid of the case |
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to a placed called Guneshwara (now Gunavanthe)and
Dhareshwara, 10-12 miles away. Finally, he threw the cloth
covering the AtmaLinga to a placed called Mrideshwara in
Kanduka-Giri (Kanduka Hill). Mrideshwara has been renamed to
Murudeshwara.
Places of Interest
Murudeshwara Temple and Raja Gopura
This temple is built on the Kanduka Hill which is surrounded
on three sides by the waters of the Arabian Sea. It is a
temple dedicated to the Lord Shiva, and a 20-storied Gopura
is being constructed on the temple. Two life-size elephants
in concrete stand guard at the steps leading to the temple.
The entire temple and temple complex, including the 249 feet
tall Raja Gopura, which is considered the tallest gopura in
the world, was constructed to its present form by
businessman and philanthropist Mr R N Shetty.
Murudeshwara Fort A fort present behind the temple is said
to have been renovated by Tipu Sultan.
Statue of Lord Shiva
A huge towering statue of Lord Shiva, visible from great
distances, is present in the temple complex. It is the
tallest statue of Shiva in the world. The statue is 123 feet
(37 m) in height, and took about 2 years to build. The
statue was built by Shivamogga's Kashinath and several other
sculptors, financed by businessman and philanthropist Mr
R.N. Shetty, at a cost of approximately 50 million rupees.
The idol is designed such that it gets the sun light
directly and thus appears sparkling.
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How to Reach
By Air : Mangalore International Airport, 165 km
away. Hubli and Panaji airports are other alternatives.
By Rail : Murudeshwara station lies on the Konkan
Railway. Some trains from Mumbai and Mangalore stop here. To
reach from Bangalore on has to take train to Bhatkal
station.
By Road: From Bangalore 455 km, from Mangalore
165kms.
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Costumes
of Karnataka
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Handicrafts of Karnataka
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Dances of
Karnataka
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Languages of Karnataka
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