Murdeshwar Temple
This is an ancient and famous Shiva Temple in the coastal town of Murdeshwar in Karnataka state. Located right on the shore of the Arabian Sea, the Temple sports the second tallest Shiva statue in the world, the first being Shiva's Vishwas Swaroopam at Nathdwara, Rajasthan.
Murdeshwar Temple Legend
There is an interesting story about how Lord Shiva landed in Murdeshwar, which dates back to the Ramayana time and involves the demon King Ravana.
Atma Linga, meaning 'the Soul of Shiva,' is a highly efficacious Linga aspect of Shiva that can bestow many powers and immortality on those worshiping it. Learning about its greatness, Ravana, too, wanted to become all the more powerful and immortal by possessing the Divine Linga. Some accounts say he wanted to gift that to his mother for her daily prayers. A staunch Shiva Bhakta, Ravana traveled to Shiva's abode of Kailasha and did a severe penance praying for Atma Linga.
The Lord pleased with his austerity and devotion, acceded to his request, but on the condition that he should not place the highly Divine Atma Linga anywhere on the ground en route until he reaches his capital Lanka, where he should install it with due honors and worship; otherwise, the Linga will get struck to the ground firmly, and no one would be able even to shake it, Shiva warned. Ravana agreed and started on his return journey carrying his prized possession.
But, realizing that Ravana was already a mighty and terrible demon, and if he became immortal, too, the world might not be able to bear the consequences, Vishnu, the Supreme Preserver, sought Ganesha's help to prevent Ravana from taking Atma Linga to Lanka. Together they worked out a plan, and as Ravana was near Gokarna, Vishnu blocked the Sun so as to make Ravana believe that it was already sunset and time for his evening prayers, which he did unfailingly. But he was in a fix on how to perform the rituals with Atma Linga in his hands.
Then, Ganesh came to him as a boy and offered to hold the Linga for him, but on the condition that he would call out Ravana's name thrice, and if he didn't return by that time, he would place the Linga down. Ravana agreed, went for his prayers, and on return, was shocked to find Atma Linga kept down in the sands on the shore. Having thus executed their plan successfully, Vishnu cleared the block covering the Sun, which started shining brightly again.
Realizing he was badly tricked, Ravana used all his might to pull the Linga out, but to no avail. But the terrific force he applied disintegrated the Linga, and its pieces flew here and there and fell at many places. The top portion of the Linga is said to have fallen in the present-day Suratkal, the casing at Sajjeshwar, the lid at Guneshwar and Dhareshwar, and finally, the cloth covering on the Kanduka Hill in Mirdeshwar, which over time became Murdeshwar.
Thus, Murdeshwar Temple stands at the holy place where the cloth covering of Atma Linga fell.
Temple Structure
Murdeshwar Shiva Temple is picturesquely perched on Kanduka Hill, with the Arabian Sea spread on all 3 sides. A 209-foot, 20-storeyed Raja Gopura, the principal tower built in 2008, welcomes us to the holy place. Proceeding further, we come to the massive 123-foot tall Shiva statue, seated in a Padmasana posture holding a trident in one of the 4 hands.
The presiding deity Murdeshwar in the Linga form called Sri Mridesa Linga, believed to be a small portion of Atma Linga, is enshrined in the dark sanctum sanctorum, about 2 feet below the ground level. The deity is basically a hard, rough rock located inside a hollow on the floor, whom the devotees worship standing at the entrance of the main shrine, as they are not allowed inside. The priests illuminate the Linga with oil lamps and perform services like Abhishekam and Archana, which devotees can witness and offer prayers from outside. There is also the Rameshwara Linga at the foothill and a Shaneeshwar Temple. 2 decorative, life-size elephants stand guard near the steps.
But for the sanctum, maintained as it was in the olden times, they have modernized the entire Temple. The sprawling Temple complex lying right at the edge of the vast blue sea is breathtaking and is studded with a park, pool, many statues and carvings depicting the Sun Chariot, Krishna's Geeta Upadesa to Arjuna, Bhagiratha's penance to Shiva, the descending Ganga, and a disguised Ganesha taking Ravana for a ride! A lift carries devotees to the top of the tall tower, from where one can have an exhilarating view of the mammoth seated Shiva in the backdrop of the unending blue waters.
Let us plan a trip to Mudeshwar Temple, receive Divine blessings, and also spend some pleasant moments in the lap of nature!
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