Lord Shiva Temple &Statue

The Murudheshwara temple is located in Murudeshwar village in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. It was built on the Kanduka Hill which is surrounded by water of the Lakshadweep Sea on three sides. It includes a 20 storied Raja Gopura and a lift that provides a view of 123 feet tall Shiva idol from the top of the Raja Gopura. A temple of lord Shaneshwara was built next to the idol and two large size elephants mande of concrete can be seen at the steps to the Shiva idol.

There are statues of Sun chariot or ratham on the side of a park, a pool, statues depicting Arjuna receiving Geetopadesham from lord Krishna. Lord Murudeshwara is worshiped here as Sri Mridesa Linga and is believed to be a piece of original Atma Linga which is 2 feet below ground level. 

Significance

The name Murudeshwar is originated from Ramayana. The Lanka king Ravana wanted to get immortal by obtaining the Atma linga and did meditation. Pleased by the meditation, lord Shiva appeared and aksed him to tell his wish which in result Ravana asked for the Atma Linga. Lord Shiva accepted to give Atma Linga with one condition that it should never be placed down, if it was kept down it is impossible to move it. 

Lord Vishnu, after knowing that realised with Atma Linga Ravana will take misadvantage. He approached lord Ganesha and requested him to prevent the Atma Linga from reaching Lanka. Ganesha being known about the devotion of Ravana used the fact and came up with a plan. 

According to the plan, Lord Vishnu asked Sun to hide and Ravana stopped to his evening rituals. At that time, Lord Ganesha in the form of a Brahmin boy appeared in front of Ravana and Ravana asked to hold the linga. Ganesha said that "I will call you three times and if you didn't return I will drop the linga." As a result, Ravana returned and saw that linga placed on the ground. Ravana realized he was tricked and tried to lift the linga with more power which in result the pieces of the top of the linga were scattered into various places. In Murudeshwar the cloth covering the Atma Linga fell down on Kanduka Hill.

How To Reach

Murudeshwar bus stand is just 600m away from the temple. You can reach the temple from bus stand by walk easily.