The Shambhulingeshwara temple is located in Gunavante village in Honnavar. It is the famous temple dedicated to lord Shiva who is called as Guneshwara here.
The origin of the name Guneshwara or Gunavantheshwara is derived from the epic Ramayana. Ravana, the Lanka king wanted to gain immortality by being blessed with Atma Linga of Lord Shiva.
For that Ravana worshped lord Shiva with devotion. Pleased by his prayers, lord Shiva appeared before him and asked about his wish. By this time Narada asked Lord Vishnu to change Ravana's mind.
History:
Ravana asks for Goddess Parvati to lord Shiva and he offers her to Ravana. While Ravana is returning to Lanka, Narada tells him that Lord had not given the real Parvathi and real Parvati devi is in Pathala. Ravana frees her, goes to Pathala and marries a king's daughter assuming her to be the real Parvati.
Ravana return to Lanka, where his mother asks him for the Linga. Then he came to know that Lord Vishnu played a trick on him. Again Ravana prayed Shiva and begged for forgiveness when lord appeared. This time Ravana requests the AtmaLinga. Lord Shiva agrees to fulfill the wish but on one condition that Linga should never be placed on the ground. If it was placed on the ground all the powers would return to lord Shiva.
Lord Ganesh in view to stop his wish fulfilled as Ravana may use this boon in a wrong way placed the Atma linga on the ground. Ravana, realising that tried to destroy the linga and due to his force some pieces were scattered.
One piece from the head of the linga was fallen in Surathkal, Sadashiva temple was built around the piece of linga. Ravana threw the case covering the Atmalinga to a place called Sajjeshwara. The lid of the case was threwed to a place called Guneshwara or Gunavante. The cloth covering the Atma Linga was threw at Mrideshwara or Murudeshwar.
How To Reach:
Gunavante bus stop is just 400m away from the temple and can reach the temple easily by walk. Honnavar bus stand is around 9.6 KM away from the temple and you can pick up a bus or a taxi from the bus stand to reach Gunavante bus stop.
