The first sight that catches your eye as you enter this peaceful and seaside town is the majestic statue of Lord Shiva perched atop the Kanduka Hill overlooking the Arabian Sea. Murudeshwara is the home to the second tallest statue of Lord Shiva in the world. The height of the statue is about 35 meters (123 feet). Though there are a plethora of things to do in Murudeshwar, the spiritual town’s biggest draws are the revered Murudeshwar temple and the heart-shaped Netrani island offering excellent scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities.
You can also walk along the serene beach, get great photographs at the Statue Park, visit a coastal fort, indulge in hiking and water sports and spot some gorgeous waterfalls on your trip to this quaint town.
Lord Shiva Statue
Standing tall on the Kanduka Hill surrounded by water on all three sides is the 123-feet high awe-inspiring colossal Shiva statue and one of the top things to do in Murudeshwar. Even those crossing the town through the Mangalore-Gokarna highway must stop by to feel the divine energy of this majestic piece of art, which is also the second tallest statue of Shiva in the world. Viewing the towering deity from the top of the rajagopuram of the temple with panoramic views of the coast in its backdrop is nothing short of breathtaking.
Timings: 6AM-1PM; 3PM-9PM
Raja Gopura
One of the most spectacular shore temples of India, this magnificent abode of Lord Shiva is said to be one of the sites of the divine atma-lingam. Also known as the Kethappa Narayana temple, its 20-storey high gopuram said to be the tallest in the world is guarded by two life-size elephants. The Dravidian style majestic granite temple is a must-visit during Murudeshwar sightseeing. The sanctum sanctorum is home to one of the original atma-lingas thrown by Ravana, placed 2 feet below the ground level. The complex also houses a small museum explaining the mythical story and significance of the temple.
Entry fee: No entry fee but Rudrabhishekam ticket costs INR 55 for 2 people
Timings: 6AM-1PM; 3PM-9PM
Statue Park
Around the majestic Shiva statue, amidst lush green lawns is the statue park that beautifully depicts the history behind the temple and is adorned with many more sculptures. One of the top things to do in Murudeshwar right inside the temple complex, the statue park portrays legends from the Ramayana including the story of the Atma-linga with images of Ganesh and Ravana. Also eye-catching is the Surya statue as well as those of Krishna and Arjuna from the Mahabharata. Do not miss the glorious sunset views from the area right behind the park. A small Shani temple close by is also worth visiting.
Tip: Visit around 4pm for the best light for photographs and to witness the sunset once you’ve done the park tour.
Getting there
The route to Murdeshwara is pretty straight forward. It is 79 kilometers from our villa all along the coastal route via Kumta and Honnavar. It takes you roughly 2 hours each from the villa. You would need 4-5 hours to see most of the attractions at Murdeshwara. It is best to visit Murdeshwara either in the morning or in the evening. Feel free to ask us to arrange a taxi for you for this trip. Don’t miss the Sanikatta salt-manufacturing, Mirjan Fort, Apsarakonda and Eco-beach on your way to Murdeshwara.