During the sacred month of Sawan in 2023, people are observing the devoted worship of Lord Shiva.
It’s a time when devotees, known as “kānvariyas,” can be seen in large numbers. They engage in rituals like offering water to the Shivalinga and paying homage to Lord Shiva in temples.
India has numerous temples with deep historical connections, where the devotion is so strong that a significant number of Shiva devotees visit these places daily.
The Remarkable Murudeshwar Shiv Temple in Karnataka
One such extraordinary temple is the Murudeshwar Shiv Temple in Karnataka, which has its roots traced back to the era of the Ramayana.
Situated in the Bhatkal taluka of the Uttara Kannada district, this temple is located on the coastline, surrounded by the Arabian Sea from three sides, providing a stunning view.
The Towering 123-Foot Tall Idol of Lord Shiva
The Murudeshwar temple is renowned for its colossal Shiva idol. Standing at a height of 123 feet, this statue is a remarkable feature of the temple.
It holds the distinction of being the second tallest Shiva statue in the world.
The construction of this idol took around two years and incurred an expenditure of approximately 5 crore rupees.
The temple attracts tourists not only from within India but also from foreign countries.
The Mythical Story of Murudeshwar Temple
Even during the times of the Ramayana, the Murudeshwar temple holds significance.
According to the mythological tale, Lord Shiva granted Ravana a boon in response to his intense penance, and Ravana received a divine lingam.
Lord Shiva instructed Ravana not to place the lingam on the ground, but Ravana’s arrogance led him to ignore this advice.
In a clever turn of events, Lord Ganesha tricked Ravana and placed the lingam on the ground in Gokarna, forming the foundation of the Murudeshwar temple.
In his attempt to uproot and destroy the lingam, a piece of cloth that covered it fell onto the Kanduka Hill, giving rise to the fame of Murudeshwar.
