Murudeshwar Temple

Getting there

• By air

  The nearest airport is Mangalore International, about 165 km away. Hubballi Airport is about 200 km away.

• By train

  Murudeshwar has its own station on the Konkan Railway line, so some trains stop in the town itself.

• By road

  The town lies on National Highway 66. Mangalore is about 165 km away and Bangalore about 500 km.

Rules to know

• Men should wear a dhoti or full-length formal trousers, and women a saree or a chudidar with a dupatta.
• Shorts, sleeveless tops and ripped jeans are not allowed.
• Remove your footwear at the entrance.
• A notice from the temple in June 2025 applies the dress rules to the inner sanctum and other sacred areas.

Why devotees come here

Murudeshwar is a Shiva temple on Kanduka Hill, on the Arabian Sea coast of Uttara Kannada. It is linked to the legend of the Atma Linga. A 123 foot Shiva statue and a 20 storey Raja Gopura stand on the hill.

Murudeshwar stands on Kanduka Hill, which is surrounded by the sea on three sides. The temple is tied to the story of the Atma Linga. Ravana received this linga from Shiva, and Ganesha, disguised as a boy, tricked him into setting it down on the ground.

Ravana tried to pull the linga up and its pieces scattered. The cloth that covered it is said to have fallen at this place, called Mrideshwara. Over time the name became Murudeshwara. The temple is not one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, but devotees honour it for this link with the Atma Linga.

The hill is also known for its size. The Shiva statue is 123 feet tall and was financed by the businessman R. N. Shetty. The Raja Gopura, built in 2008, has 20 storeys and is about 249 feet high. A lift takes visitors up for a view of the statue and the coast.

Festivals

• February or MarchMaha Shivaratri

  The busiest day of the year, so plan ahead and expect long queues.

• Twice a monthEkadashi days

  Crowds are larger than on a normal weekday, as they are on weekends.

Tips for your visit

• Weekends, Ekadashi and festival days are the busiest, so a weekday visit is easier for older family members.
• Anna Prasada, a free meal, is served in the afternoon, subject to availability.
• Plan around October to March if you want clear skies and a calm sea for the view from the hill.
• The monsoon months from June to September bring rough seas, so boat trips are usually stopped.

Questions people ask