Murudeshwar in Karnataka attracts huge tourists due to the pious Murudeshwar temple. Located on the Kanduka Giri hills, the temple has the second tallest statue of Shiva. The ultimate Shiva temple is covered with the mighty Arabian Sea from 3 sides and is a great view for whoever visits. It is also known as Kethappa Narayan and anyone visiting Murudeshwara is highly advised to pay a visit to the temple of almighty Shiva. 

Although the Murudeshwara Temple is hundreds of years old, you wouldn’t believe it if you were standing right in front of it. This is because the temple and the Shiva Statue have been renovated by the businessman and philanthropist R.N Shetty to make the ancient structure last for several more centuries. Apart from the inner sanctum, almost everything here has been recently renovated. Now there is a lift as well for devotees of all age groups to reach the top of the temple with ease.

With the whole Gopuram now being renovated, the temple looks even more majestic. Of course, even with the renovations, the sanctity of the main shrine has been kept intact. 

Murudeshwara Shiva temple is primarily a religious spot which is why it is also known as Murudeshwara Devastthal. Murudeshwara is a form of Lord Shiva who is worshipped in this temple. If you are looking for a place where you can enjoy beaches along with the holy essence spread everywhere, Murudeshwara temple and nearby places are one of them. All those excited about water sports can also find their interest in this place.

There are multiple statues, parks, and pools in the complex. A large number of statues are of Lord Vishnu, Shiva, and Ganesha while the other statues are of chariots, a scene of Lord Ganesha deceiving Ravana and so on. Murudeshwar Temple is fast becoming one of the most popular tourist spots in Karnataka because of the humongous statue of Shiva that it houses. Travellers from all over the world come to marvel at not just the 123-ft Shiva temple but also the 20-storey (237ft) Gopuram at the front.

Table of Contents

• Murudeshwar Temple Location 
• Language spoken in Murudeshwar Temple
• Murudeshwara Temple Popular For
• How to get to Murudeshwar Temple
• Interesting facts about Murudeshwar temple
• Why is Murudeshwara Temple recommended
• Murudeshwar Temple Operating hours

Murudeshwar Temple Location

Murudeshwara Shiva temple is located in the Murudeshwar Bhatkal Taluk in Karnataka. It shares a border with Goa as well. The view of the temple looks even more beautiful and serene due to the presence of the Arabian Sea on all three sides of the temple. The coastal Karnataka presenting Murudeshwara Shiva temple is also near several other tourist attractions of the places. It includes the popular Shri Mahabaleshwar Temple, Kollur Mookambika Temple, etc. Nakhuda Beach is also approximately 15 km from Murudeshwar, Karnataka. So, you can also visit several nearby places if planning for the Shiva temple.

Address: Murudeshwar Temple, NH 7, Bhatkal Taluk, Murudeshwar, North Canara, Karnataka- 581350

Language spoken in Murudeshwara Temple

Murudeshwara temple is located in Uttara (North) Karnataka and hence, the most spoken language in the area is Marathi and Kannada. Since it is also near Goa, Hindi is also spoken and understood in Murudeshwara to some extent. Also, as it is a huge tourist attraction place, English is commonly understood in Murudeshwara. So, language will definitely not be a barrier for you if you are planning to visit Murudeshwar Karnataka.

Murudeshwara Temple Popular For

Are you eager to know why Murudeshwara Temple is so popular among tourists and religious enthusiasts and what is Murudeshwara Temple history? Here is a list for you:

The temple and the Gopuram

The very basic reason for the popularity of the place is the breathtaking beauty of the Murudeshwara temple and the gigantic gopuram (gateway). The gopuram at the entrance is known as the Raj gopuram and it is 249 feet tall. Being the second tallest Shiva statue, the place attracts huge tourist attention. 

Serene beaches

As aforementioned, Murudeshwar temple in Karnataka is bordered by the Arabian Sea on three sides. Hence, the serene beaches and its view adds to the beauty of the place. It looks amazing to see a tall Shiva statue with the sea flowing behind it. People can enjoy both beach vibes and religious walks in the same place.

Water sports

Since Murudeshwara Karnataka is located in the coastal area of the Arabian Sea, there are various water activities that people can perform. Scuba diving is quite popular there and if you like water sports, you can definitely try it. Even just sitting by the beach gives you unparalleled views.

A place of worship

Murudeshwara Shiva temple is a holy place of Hinduism. People from various corners of India and outside come here to offer their hearty prayers to Lord Shiva. As you reach a nearby temple, even a glimpse of the mighty Shiva gives a whole different holy vibe.

Nearby places

Murudeshwara temple location also plays a role in its popularity. There are several nearby tourist places that you can travel to. Goa is not far away from Murudeshwara Karnataka. Hence, you can also cover your Goa trip en route. Rameshwar and Shaneshwara temples are also nearby temples that are must-visit spots.

How to get to Murudeshwar Temple?

Reaching Murudeshwara Karnataka is not a tough task. If you live in Bangalore, an overnight train journey can quickly take you to this pious land. However, there are various possible ways to reach Murudeshwara temple Karnataka, like:

Air

The nearest airport to this temple is Mangalore Airport, which is 160 km away. Since the temple lies near the Mangalore-Mumbai highway, it is easily accessible from here. 

Road

If you travel by road, you can get a direct bus to the Murudeshwara Temple from all major cities in Karnataka like Karwar, Gokarna, Bangalore, Mangalore, Dharmasthala and so on. All these cities are within 200 km of the temple. 

Railway

The nearest railway station is at Murudeshwar itself, which is well connected to many major cities in South India.

Interesting facts about Murudeshwar temple:

• The Shiva Statue of Murudeshwara temple is the second tallest Shiva statue in the world, after the one in Nepal, known as the Kailashnath Mahadev Statue.
• The statue has been built in a way that allows sunlight to fall directly on it, giving it the appearance of sparkling all the time. 
• There is a Rameshwara Linga at the bottom of the hill where the devotees can perform rituals on their own without a priest. 
• Murudeshwara Shiva temple has a huge gopuram located at the entrance that is 249 feet high.
• Shri R.N Shetty, a businessman is credited for renovating the contemporary Murudeshwar temple. He carried the expense of renovating almost the entire temple.
• The Shiva temple has stairs sideways to let people climb to the top of the statue and see the beauty of the temple
• Murudeshwara was initially known as Mrideshwara. However, later on, after the construction of the temple, it was renamed as Murudeshwara.
• The architectural style of the Murudeshwara Temple is the South Indian Dravidian style.
• Netrani island is the nearby island of Murudeshwar temple which is a great tourist attraction for scuba diving and other water sports.

Why is Murudeshwara Temple recommended?

Murudeshwara temple in Karnataka is a perfect holiday spot as it costs minimal to reach there. The easy commutation, especially for people in Karnataka is one major reason why people choose this place. Apart from this, the holy place of Lord Shiva will always remain a prime reason to pay a visit to Murudeshwara Karnataka. Even for enjoying weekend beach vibes, people can visit Murudeshwara.

The stunning view of the Arabian sea is a treat to eyes and spending time around the coastal land with your friends and family is a perfect plan. You can also find comfortable and affordable stays around the temple. The Shiva statue is quite popular among people across the country and also elsewhere. So, why further delay planning a trip to Murudeshwara temple? 

Murudeshwara Temple Operating hours

The temple area can be best visited between 3 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 8 pm since the Gopuram lift is operational only during these hours. So, if you wish to get a bird's eye view from the top of the Shiva statue, you must visit during these operating hours. 1-2 days are enough to visit Murudeshwara temple and the nearby places including beaches. From March to June, Karnataka Murudeshwara temple reports hot weather. So, you may find it comfortable visiting it from September to October or late winter.

Murudeshwar Temple is definitely one of the best places to visit in Karnataka. Here, you not only get to visit a holy place but also see something architecturally stunning. Check out our travel packages to visit this lovely temple!