Located in Bhatkal taluk in Karnataka, Murudeshwar is known to have the second tallest statue of Lord Shiva. (The tallest statue of Shiva is located in Sanga, some 42 km to the south east of Kathmandu in Nepal.) The Murudeshwar Temple lies on a hill known as Kanduka Giri and the western most point of the town is a landmass that juts out of the mainland to form a small peninsula about two km west of the temple.
A popular pilgrimage town, legend has it that Ganesha tricked Ravana into giving up the lingam he had received as a gift from Shiva for his penance and planted it at Gokarna. Angered by this, Ravan tried to uproot the lingam, in the process, breaking pieces of it. One of the pieces fell at Kanduka Giri where the Murudeshwar temple was eventually built.
The statue is placed in such a way that the back of Shiva is towards the Arabian Sea. Towering at 249 ft, the statue is the tallest structure in the town. Besides being a pilgrimage site, the Murudeshwar beach that stretches for a few kilometers north of the temple is a popular picnic spot. With silvery sand and the western ghats as a backdrop, it is a sight to look at.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN MURUDESHWAR
Murudeshwar has a few budget hotels near the railway station; the mid-range hotels are near the bus stand but the best accommodation is available near the temple itself and is close to the beach.
BEST PLACES TO EAT IN MURUDESHWAR
While the best restaurants are on National Highway 17 and near Murudeshwar beach, there are also a few fast food joints near the railway station that serve Chinese and Punjabi dishes. Non-vegetarian food is also available in many eateries near the railway station and Murudeshwar bypass.
BEST TIME TO VISIT MURUDESHWAR
The average minimum and maximum temperature of Murudeshwar is as given below. The best time to visit Murudeshwar is also specified.
