Murudeshwar Temple is a famous Shiva temple located in Bhatkala Taluk of Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka. It is built on the Kanduka Hill and is surrounded by the Arabian Sea on three sides, giving the temple a unique natural beauty.
Among the major attractions of the temple is the 123 feet tall Lord Shiva statue, which is the second tallest Lord Shiva statue in the world. The statue is designed in such a way that it receives direct sunlight and always looks radiant.
The Raja Gopuram of the Murudeshwara Temple is 209 feet tall, making it the second tallest tower in India. The tower has 20 floors and the lift system allows the devotees to go up and enjoy the beautiful view of the sea and the temple complex.
The history of the temple is associated with Ramayana and Shiva Puranas. It is considered as one of the Panchkshetras, the other Kshetras being Gokarna, Dhareshwar, Gunavante, and Sajjeshwar.
The Murudeshwara Temple features modern sculpture and traditional architecture, with scenes from the Ramayana carved on the walls of the temple complex.
The pooja timings of the temple are from 3 am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 8 pm. Devotees visiting the Murudeshwar temple can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the sea.
Murudeshwar Temple attracts devotees and tourists with its unique location, sculptures, and religious significance.