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Murudeshwar is a small town known as pilgrimage center and beach destination in Karnataka. It comes under Bhatkal Taluk of Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka state. This town was once called as “Mrideshwara”, but it later changed into Murudeshwar.
The name of this town comes from the very famous Murudeshwar Shiva Temple. It is a beautiful temple with astonishing architecture. It is considered as one of the five important Shiva temples to visit in Karnataka.
Situated between Honnavar and Bhatkal cities, Murudeshwar is a beautiful place to visit by the tourist where they can see amazing beaches of Arabian Sea and natural resources of Western Ghats of South India.
Best Time to visit Murudeshwar
The best time to visit Murudeshwar is from October to May. Weather in these months is best suitable to enjoy the town, temple trip and beaches too. Maha Shivaratari is celebrated here in a grand manner, which falls in either February or March. Monsoon Season from June-September is advisable to avoid as the weather will be bit harsh with heavy rainfall and gusty air.
Places To Visit in Murudeshwar
Murudeshwar Shiva Temple
Murudeshwar Temple is one of the important pilgrimage temples for Shiva devotes. Here, the deity is in Aatma Linga form. It is one of the Pancha Kshetras of the Shiva Temple in Karnataka. Surrounded by water of Arabian Sea in all 3 sides, this temple at Kanduka Giri hills is an eye feast for the visitors. This Old temple is renovated to give contemporary look by the temple care takers.
There are many attractions in this temple, in which the Raja Gopuram and Shiva Statue on the hill are mesmerizing. The magnificent Raja Gopuram at height of 237.5 feet with two big Elephant statute at the entrance is the second tallest one in India; it has an elevator service in which visitors can take the view of the whole temple along with the sea. The Shiva Statue in Ash and golden color in this temple is also a second largest one in world.
The Statue of Lord Vishnu and Arjuna, Surya Narayana Statue, Sundara Rameshwara statue and Shaneshwara Temple are some of the other attractions found in this place. Along with it, this temple is also known for historical and mythological significance too.
- Murudeshwar Temple Timings: 3:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Entry Fee: Free
Murudeshwar Beach
The Second most visited place by the tourist in the Murudeshwar town is the Murudeshwar Beach. The white sand, a Giant Shiva Statue and the rich vegetation make it as an ideal place to visit by the tourists. Murudeshwar Beach has all kinds of facilities to offer the best experience to the visitors like food stalls, rest rooms, and many more.
In this beach, you can also enjoy the water activities such as boating, Beach buggy, Horse ride, Speed bike ride, private cruise, Banana Boat and swimming. The sunset and sunrise in the beach is the best enthral experience to anyone. Local buffalo races and cock fights are some of the events that are conducted in the beach side to fascinate the tourists. And even the night life around this beach is noteworthy.
- Entry fee: Free
Bhatkal Beach
One of the well-known beaches near Murudeshwar town is Bhatkal Beach. Once used to be Port area in Vijayanagara kingdom, Bhatkal Beach is a beautiful beach dotted with long coconut trees and white sand. The tranquil and scenic beauty of the beach makes it a great spot to relax for a while.
Though this beach does not have any water sports, all kinds of basic facilities are provided for the visitors. And also people who visit the beach also stopover at the Bhatkal lighthouse, from where tourists can view the beautiful sea and the surrounding areas.
Statue Park
Within the Murudeshwar Temple Premises, Statue Park is a great tourist attraction to the visitors. The life size statues and sculptors of the gods along with 15 m Shiva statues is the speciality of the place.
This park is fully adored by the lush green lawns, Flowering plants, stone sculptors, ponds and an artificial waterfall. This place has a Cave Museum where one can see the story of the Murudeshwar Aatma Linga. And a great place to hang out with friends and family.
- Timings: 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Entry Fee: Free
Bhukailasa Cave Museum
Bhukailasa Cave Museum in the Statue Park exhibits the sculptures and stories related to various Hindu gods. This cave museum gives insight of story behind the deity Murudeshwar Aatma Linga, how it came here and formed and also many others stories and sculptures related to the temple. All the statues are coloured and shown in an appealing way to convey the story to the visitors.
- Timings: 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Entry Fee: Rs. 10 for Adults / Rs. 5 for Children
Murudeshwar Fort
It is an ancient Fort behind the Murudeshwar Temple complex. Murudeshwar Fort is built during Vijayanagara Period and later on renovated by the Mysore King – Tipu Sultan. This fort stands in the ruins as it has no proper access.
Idagunji Ganapati Temple
Idagunji Ganapati Temple is a very famous Ganapati temple in the south coast of Karnataka. This temple is around 19 km from the Murudeshwar city. One can visit this temple by state transport or by hiring a private vehicle.
The lord in this temple is found in the Standing position on a stone stab with two arms, one holding a Padma( Lotus flower) and the other one holding the Modaka ( a sweet). Every year hundreds of the devotees visit this temple to worship and get blessings from the god Ganapathi.
Kethapayya Narayan Temple
Bhatkal is about 12 km away. Kethapayya Narayan Temple is a very famous Hindu temple, where many tourists visit during their trip to Bhatkal. This temple is known for its amazing Vijayanagara architecture with several engravings and sculptures. The temple hall known as Navaranga is a four-pillared hypostyle hall. It is adorned with statues of Ashta Dikpalaka in 8 sides.
And also one can see the depiction of mythological Story Ramayana depiction like Vanavasa, Rama Pattabhisheka and Putra Kameshti on the walls of the temple. The temple entrance unique with high flag pillar known as dhwajasthambha.
It is a great place for history and art lovers to visit and have a quality time in the temple besides offerings prayers to the God.
- Timings: 6:00 AM -7:00 PM
Planning a Trip To Murudeshwar? Check Hotels Prices
Nakhuda Beach
Nakhuda Beach which is also known as Tenginagundi Beach is 15 km from main town; it is a remote beach in the Tenginagundi village with no proper transport facility.
Alvekodi Beach
Alvekodi Beach is another untouched beach in Bhatkal, known for its cool breeze, calm, enthralling patterns in sand and spotting of Jelly fish and Star Fish.
Netrani Island
Netrani Island is an uninhabited island in Arabian Sea 19 km from the main land. This island can be seen from the Bhatkal Beach and also from Murudeshwar Beach and often said described as Heart shaped Islands. Scuba Diving and snorkelling is the prime attraction of this place.
Being a coral reef island, it has an amazing environment for aquatic animals and plants and clear water, which makes it a great place to do water sport activities. Children below the age of 5 are not allowed.
Things Do In Murudeshwar
Worship the Lord Shiva
Murudeshwar is known for the Shiva temple in the Kanduka Giri hills surrounded by the sea in the 3 sides offer a picturesque view. Along with it the 237.5 feet tallest Raja Gopuram and bird’s eye view from the gopuram of the sea, temple and city is impressive. Around 1million people visit this magnificent temple every year to worship and pray.
Get mesmerized with life size statues
The Statue Park in the Temple premises is one of its kinds. The Life size statues of various gods and the World’s second largest Shiva Statue in the hillock is an enthralling site to any visitors. There is a cave in this Statue Park, where the legends story behind the Murudeshwar temple is portrayed. People who visit to the temple must visit this Statue Park.
Spend time in beautiful beaches
Murudeshwar Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the coastal region of Karnataka. This is next to the Shiva temple and the green Western Ghats, this calm and blue beach is great spot to hang out and to spend some quality time along with your friends and family. This beach has all the facilities and offers great food to its visitors. Bhatkal beach is another beach near the town where many tourists visits.
Checkout the Water Sports
If you love water sports and activities, then Murudeshwar Beach has all of them. You can enjoy boating, Jet skies, Beach buggy, Horse ride, Speed bike ride, private cruise, etc in the beach. Nearby Netrani Island is a small island of coral, where you can get to do Scuba Diving and snorkelling activities under professional guidance.
Go shopping
Collect souvenirs from the local shops or handcrafted shops to cherish your remarkable holidaying experience in this beautiful town. And even buy native delicacies to eat at home.
Planning a Trip To Murudeshwar? Check Hotels Prices
How To Reach Murudeshwar
By Train
Murudeshwar has a railway junction 2 km east from the main town called as Murudeshwar Railway Junction. You can get frequent and scheduled trains from Mumbai, Manglore, Bangalore, Udipi and Bhatkal cities.
By Road
It has well linked roads with the state as well as national highways. Cities like Mangalore, Udipi, Mysore and Bangalore have regular buses to reach this town at any time. The preferred local transport in the city is taxis and state run buses.
By Flight
Murudeshwar doesn’t have an airport. But there are 2 Airports nearby – Mangalore International Airport (Bajpe Airport) and Hubli Airport. Hubli Airport is at 202 km and Mangalore International Airport is at 159 km to Murudeshwar town. From the airport, you can either take bus service or the train service to reach this place by your convenience.
Getting Around Murudeshwar
Autorickshaws will be the best option to travel within the town. Alternatively you can also local bus and private taxis to visit nearby places.
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