imported>MrOllie at 14:33, 28 August 2021

2021-08-28T14:33:50Z

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*{{more citations needed|date=April 2021}}
*{{original research|date=April 2021}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}

{{Infobox settlement
| name = Murudeshwara
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = kn
| settlement_type = Town
| image_skyline = Murudeshwar temple statue.JPG
| imagesize = 300px
| image_caption = [[Gopura]] of Murudeshwara Temple and statue of Shiva
| map_caption = Location of Murudeshwara in Karnataka##Location of Murudeshwara in India
| pushpin_map = India Karnataka#India3
| coordinates = {{coord|14|5|37.02|N|74|29|1.77|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Karnataka]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Uttara Kannada District]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 =
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total =
| population_as_of =
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank =
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 581 350
| area_code = 08385
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| unemployment_rate =
| website =
| footnotes =
| demographics1_info1 = [[Kannada]]
}}
'''Murudeshwara''' is a town in [[Bhatkal]] [[Tehsil|Taluk]] of [[Uttara Kannada]] district in the state of [[Karnataka]], [[India]]. The town is located 13 km from the taluk headquarters of [[Bhatkal]]. ''Murudeshwara'' is famous for the world's second tallest Shiva statue, the town lies on the coast of the [[Arabian Sea]] and is also famous for the Murudeshwara Temple.<ref>{{cite web |title=Murudeshwar Temple in Karnataka |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U3m4h6nQ2U |website=youtube.com}}</ref> Murudeshwara has a railway station on the [[Mangaluru]]-[[Mumbai]] [[Konkan railway]] route.

==Etymology and Chronicles==
{{unreferenced section|date=April 2021}}
The origin of the name "Murdeshwar" dates to the time of [[Ramayana]]. The Hindu gods attained immortality and invincibility by worshiping a divine [[Linga]] called the ''Atma-Linga''. The [[Lanka]] King [[Ravana]] wanted to attain immortality by obtaining the Atma-Linga (Soul of Shiva). Since the ''Atma-Linga'' belonged to [[Shiva]], Ravana worshipped Shiva with devotion. Pleased by his prayers, [[Shiva]] appeared before him and asked him what he wanted. Ravana asked for the ''Atma-Linga''. [[Shiva]] agreed to give him the boon on the condition that it should never be placed on the ground before he reaches Lanka. If the ''Atma-Linga'' was ever placed on the ground, it would be impossible to move it. Having obtained his boon, Ravana started back on his journey to Lanka.

[[Vishnu|Lord Vishnu]], who came to know of this incident, realised that with the ''Atma-Linga'', Ravana may obtain immortality and wreak havoc on earth. He approached [[Ganesha]] and requested him to prevent the ''Atma-Linga'' from reaching Lanka. [[Ganesha]] knew that Ravana was a very devoted person who performed prayer rituals every evening without fail. He decided to make use of this fact and came up with a plan to confiscate the ''Atma-Linga'' from Ravana.

As Ravana was nearing [[Gokarna, India|Gokarna]], [[Vishnu]] blotted out the sun to give the appearance of dusk. Ravana now had to perform his evening rituals but was worried because with the ''Atma-Linga'' in his hands, he would not be able to do his rituals. At this time, [[Ganesha]] in the disguise of a [[Brahmin]] boy accosted him. Ravana requested him to hold the ''Atma-Linga'' until he performed his rituals, and asked him not to place it on the ground. [[Ganesha]] 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 ''Atma-Linga'' on the ground.

Ravana returned to find that [[Ganesha]] had already placed the ''Atma-Linga'' on the ground. [[Vishnu]] then removed his illusion and it was daylight again. Ravana, realising that he had been tricked, tried to uproot and destroy the linga. Due to the force exerted by Ravana, some pieces were scattered. One such piece from the head of the linga is said to have fallen in present-day [[Surathkal]]. The famous Sadashiva temple is said to be built around that piece of linga. Then he decided to destroy the covering of the ''Atma-Linga'', and threw the case covering it to a place called ''Sajjeshwar'', 37 kilometers away. Then he threw the lid of the case to a place called ''Guneshwar'' (now Gunavanthe) and Dhareshwar, 16-19 kilometers away. Finally, he threw the cloth covering the ''Atma-Linga'' to a place called Mrideshwar in Kanduka-Giri (''Kanduka Hill''). Mrideshwar has been renamed to Murdeshwar.

==Major attractions==
[[File:Murudeshwara raja gopura HDR, Jul 2012.jpg|thumb|The 20-storied [[Gopura]] at the Murdeshwar temple. Two life-size elephants in concrete stand guard at the steps leading to it.]]

*'''Murdeshwar 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 dedicated to [[Shiva|Sri Lokankara]], and a 20-storied [[gopura]] is constructed at the temple. The temple authorities have installed a lift that provides a view of the 123-feet Sri Shiva idol from the top of the Raja gopura. There is also a Rameshwara linga at the bottom of the hill, where devotees can do seva themselves. A Shaneswar temple has been built next to the idol of [[Shiva|Sri Akshayaguna]]. Two life-size elephants in concrete stand guard at the steps leading to it. The entire temple and temple complex, including the 209-feet-tall Raja Gopura, is one among the tallest.

There are statues of Sun Chariot on side of a park, pool, statues depicting Arjuna receiving [[Bhagavadgita|Geetopadesham]] from Lord Krishna, Ravana being deceived by Ganesha in disguise, Shiva's manifestation as Bhaghirnath, descending Ganga, carved around the hill.

The temple is entirely modernised with exception of the sanctum sanctorum which is still dark and retains its composure. The main deity is Sri Mridesa Linga, also called Murdeshwar. The linga is believed to be a piece of the original Atma Linga and is about two feet below ground level. The devotees performing special sevas like Abhisheka, Rudrabhisheka, Rathotsava etc., can view the deity by standing before the threshold of the sanctum and the Linga is illuminated by oil lamps held close by the priests. The Linga is essentially a rough rock inside a hollowed spot in the ground. Entry into the sanctum is banned for all devotees.

*'''Statue of Shiva''': A huge towering statue of [[Shiva]], visible from great distances, is present in the temple complex. It is the second tallest statue of ''Shiva'' in the world. The tallest Shiva statue is in Nepal, known as the ([[Kailashnath Mahadev Statue]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/23/stories/2006012304670300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060919083208/http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/23/stories/2006012304670300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-09-19|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=2006-01-23|title=A Shivaratri gift for people of Bijapur}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050408042903/http://www.chennaionline.com/hotelsandtours/PlacesofInterest/2004/02murudesh.asp World's tallest Siva idol]</ref> The statue is {{convert|123|ft|m|0}} in height and took about two years to build. The statue was built by [[Shivamogga]]'s Kashinath and several other sculptors, financed by businessman and philanthropist [[Rama Nagappa Shetty]], at a cost of approximately {{INR}}50 million. The idol is designed such that it gets the sunlight directly and thus appears sparkling.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.karnataka.com/tourism/murdeshwar/|title=Murdeshwar - Raja Gopura - Fort - Shiva Temple|author=madur|work=Karnataka.com}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Lord Shiva the tallest statue @ Murudeswar.jpg|Lord Shiva the tallest statue @ Murudeswar
File:Tower of Murudeswar.jpg|Tower of Murudeswar
File:Murudeshwar temple from beach.jpg|thumb|Murudeshwar temple from beach
File:Murudeshwar Full view.jpg|Murdeshwar full view
File:Lord Shiva statue at Murudeshwara.jpg|thumb|Shiva statue at Murdeshwar
Image:Murudeshwar_shiva.JPG|Statue of Shiva
File:Murudeshwar Temple Shiva.jpg|Shiva statue
File:Statue of Nandi at Murudeshwar Temple.jpg|Statue of Nandi at Murdeshwar Temple
Image:Murdeshwar temple gopuram.jpg|[[Gopura]] of Murdeshwar Temple
File:Murudeshwara_Temple.JPG|[[Shikhara]] of Murdeshwar Temple
File:Karwar Pictures - Yogesa 08.JPG|Murdeshwar beach with boats and jet skis
</gallery>

{{Panorama| image = File:Murudeswar Shiva Panoramic view.jpg| height = 200| alt = Panoramic view of Murudeshwar.| caption = Panoramic view of Murdeshwar Shiva}}

==See also==
*[[Bhatkal]]
*[[Chitrapur Math]]
*[[Gokarna, India|Gokarna]]
*[[Idagunji]]
*[[Maravanthe]] beach
*[[Shirali]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Murudeshwara}}

{{Uttara Kannada}}
{{Hydrology of Karnataka|state=expanded}}

{{Holy temples of coastal Karnataka}}

{{Hindu temples in Karnataka}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Uttara Kannada district]]
[[Category:Colossal statues in India]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Uttara Kannada district]]

Murdeshwar - Revision history

imported>MrOllie at 14:33, 28 August 2021