Sri Murudeshwara Temple

Murudeshwar, the temple town with a vibrant scenic beauty and golden history, is located on the Arabian seafront in North Kanara Dist, Karnataka. It is situated on the NH-66, about 160 kms north of the port city of Mangalore & 65.5 kms from Kundapura

The nearest airport is also at Mangalore. Daily flights operate from Bangalore to Mangalore. Murudeshwar is well connected by road and most buses plying on the NH-66 between Mangalore and Mumbai stop at Murudeshwar. There are overnight buses also from Bangalore to Murudeshwar.

But the most picturesque and memorable experience would be to reach Murudeshwar from Mangalore or Goa by Konkan Railway and alight at Murudeshwar railway station adjoining the National Highway. Many trains stop at this station.

Murudeshwar can be visited throughout the year. Each season brings out a different hue of the coastal town.

Temple:

The ancient temple which stood for ages was fast dilapating. The locals tried rebuilding the sanctum sanctorum earlier, but it did not last long. The present temple complex is the result of the painstaking efforts of Sri. R. N Shetty. 

He started renovation in 1977 with a team of craftsmen and artisans brought in from Tamilnadu. The temple is mainly built of granite. 

Subsequently, other sculptures were built on the Kanduka hill, which have enhanced the beauty of the place. The 123 ft high Shiva statue is the world's largest Shiva sculpture and has become a landmark.

Another newly added masterpiece is the world's largest Rajagopuram in front of the temple complex. This 249 feet tower was inaugurated in May 2008.

These monuments complement the natural scenic beauty of Murudeshwar.

 

 History:

The legend of Murudeshwar goes back to the age of Ramayana. 

Ravana, the asura king of Lanka, wished to have the all powerful Atmalinga of Shiva, so that he can become invincible and immortal by worshipping it. Pleased by his severe penance, Lord Shiva gave him the Atmalinga but warned him not to place it on the ground till he reached his destination. 

Upset by the thought that Ravana would become more powerful by worshipping the Atmalinga, the Gods devised a plan to take it away from Ravana. The Gods knew that Ravana being a pious devotee of Lord Shiva was punctual in performing the periodical rites everyday.

As Ravana approached Gokarna, Lord Vishnu blotted the sun with his Sudharshana Chakra. Thinking that it was evening, Ravana was in two minds whether to put down the Atmalinga or skip his evening rites. Just then, Lord Ganesh came to that place in the guise of a brahmin boy. Ravana called the boy and asked him to hold the linga until he completed his evening rites. 

The boy agreed on the condition that he'd keep the linga down if Ravana didn't return before the boy called out his name thrice. Ravana agreed and went about his rituals, but by then the boy called out his name thrice and place the Atmalinga on the earth, and it got firmly entrenched in the earth. 

When Vishnu withdrew his Sudharshan chakra, Ravana saw bright sunlight and understood that he was tricked by the Gods. He became furious. He came to the Linga and tried to uproot it with all his might. But the idol did not budge even a liitle. The idol's shape now looked like a cow's ear. Hence, the place is known as Gokarna. [Go means Cow and karna means Ear in sanskrit.] 

The crest fallen Ravana was deeply upset and beat the boy on his head. In anger he pulled and threw the case of linga, which fell 23 miles away at Sajjeshwar. He threw the lid to the south 27 miles away at Guneshwara in the form of “Vamdev Linga”. He threw the cloth wrapped to the idol to south, 32 miles away at Kanduka hills on shore of sea. It took the form of “Aghora”at Murudeshwar. The thread winding the idol was flung to south at Dhareshwara, came to known as “Tathpurusha Linga”. 

Shiva learnt all this from wind god Vayu. He came on earth along with Parvathi and Ganesha and visited all these five places and worshipped the linga. He declared that these would be his Panchakshetras and those who worshipped lingas at those places would be free from all sins and their wishes would be fulfilled and ultimately reach the abode of Shiva. 

Sevas & Darshans:

Murdeshwar is an ancient pilgrimage place, Approved as a tourist center by the department of Tourism, Govt. of Karnataka.

After the renovation of this temple in 1984 by Shri R .N. Shetty And devotees, temple development began like Shukla Paksha
Chandrapodi and a large number of devotees are being attracted to this Holy place everyday. To extend the facility of providing afternoon devine Prasadam for distant devotees coming to this place, committee started “ SHRI MURDESHWAR BHAKTAKOTI NIRANTAR NIDHI ABHIYAN” from 01-12-1997

“OBJECTS OF NIDHI ABHIYAN”
1. The aim of NIDHI ABHIYANA is to involve a minimum of one crore devotees within ten years in the movement.
2. To make provision to serve free afternoon lunch as devine prasadam to outside visitors & devotees.
3. To give an opportunity to all people of society to participate in the service activities of Lord Murdeshwar.

In this regard, to serve one day’s free meals to devotees, on the day of his desire one has to contribute Rs. 750/- and if one contributes Rs. 5001/-, permanently every year on one day of donor’s wish Lord Murdeshwar will be worshipped on his behalf and prayer will be, offered for his &his familie’s welfare and also one day free afternoon devine prasadam (Lunch) will be served to deotees in his name and prasadam will be sent to his address.

Further any devotees can participate in his movement by contributing not less than R. 5/- to obtain grace of Lord - Murdeshwar.

OUR OTHER CONTINUOS WORSHIP FUND

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1. DAY WORSHIP FUND : Rs. 2,500/- Permanently every year on the day of devotees desire, Lord Murdeshwar will be worshipped on donors behalf and prasadam will be sent to him.

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2. NANDA DEEP SEVA FUND : Rs. 1000/- permanently every year on the day of devotees desire, Nandadeep Seva will be performed and prasadam will be sent to him.

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Devotees desirous performing above, are informed to send money by DD/MO to Managing Trustee, Mahtobar Shri Murdeshwar – Temple, Murdeshwar –Uttara Kannada – 581350.

Permanent Seva (per year one day)

1) Annasantharpana Seva	Rs. 5001-00
2) NityaSeva	Rs. 2500-00
3) Nanda Deepa Seva	Rs. 1000-00
1) One Day Annasantharpana	Rs. 750-00
2) One Sankashti Ganahoma	Rs. 251-00
3) One Servadeva Pooja	Rs. 200-00

Please send D.D. only Bank, Murdcshwar
or any Bank out Station Cheque / D.D. / M.O.

Sl. No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42

Details of Seva Serva Deva Pooje Shashwat Annsantarpana Annual Nityaseva Pooja Shashwat Nanda Deepa One Day Annasantarpana Ganahoma Kumbhabisheka Rudrabhisheka Panchambratha Abhisheka Kshirabhisheka Mangalarthi Laddu Prasada Panchakajjaya Co-conut- Set of 2 Bilvarchane Thilarchane Chandanabhisheka Bhasmarchane Japa Shivasahasaranama Mrathunjaya Manasa Pooje Thulabara (God's Kanike) Pudi Prasada Flower Pooja Astotthara Ekadasha Rudra Shatharudra (God's Kanike Sudarshana Japa Vadhu-Varara Parvesha Saptashanthi Parayana Lalithasahasranama Pooje Durga Sahasranama Kunkumarchane Upanishath Ganapati Sahasranama Subramanya Sahasranama Anjaneya Sahasranama Navagraha Pooje Paduka Pooje Satyanarayan Kathe. Shanikathe (God's Kanike) Vruthagalu Nagakallu Prasthiste (Place Kanike Only)

No's 1 1 Day 1 Day 1Day 1 Day 1 100 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Set 1 1 1 1 1001 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1001 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Rupees 200 5001 2500 1000 750 251 150 20 40 10 5 10 5 25 10 10 20 20 25 40 40 100 20 100 10 220 500 40 25 100 40 40 10 10 40 40 40 90 40 50 50 1000

Map:

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Contact:

Mahatobar Sri Murudeshwar Temple

Murudeshwar

NH - 66, Bhatkal Taluk

North Kanara Dist.

Karnataka.

Phone: 08385 - 268524, 268972