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Just off what was popularly known as NH -17* (Edapally- Panvel Highway, now NH- 66), around 80 kilometres south of Gokarna is another temple town, known for its Shiva temple, a humongous statue of the god, an imposing temple tower and of course, its beach. Murudeshwar. It does sound familiar, doesn’t it?
Murudeshwar
I had heard about the place and that it was a religious site was what came to mind every time I came across a mention of it. What I didn’t know — at least not until I was doing my pre-trip homework –was that there were other temples around it and the temple complex was on a peninsular piece of land.
When we on the road trip along Karnataka’s Coast I wanted to visit Murudeshwar just to set my eyes on the 20-storey gopuram (temple tower) I had seen so many pictures of.
Now I have pictures of my own:
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| The massive Raja Gopuram Murudeshwar’s 20-storey temple tower. |
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| A side view of the gopuram. |
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| Just so you know how enormous this temple tower really is (or how tiny we human beings are, in comparision). It goes up to a height of over 235 ft. |
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| A close up shot of the massive structure. This gopuram owes its enormity to businessman RN Shetty who hails from this temple town. |
I would have also liked to go up those 20 floors and take in the sweeping vistas of this peninsula, the sea that curls around it and all the seemingly-minuscule structures that complete the view. Alas! the doors of the temple were closed when we got there. But then again, there was plenty to see even otherwise.
Murudeshwar’s massive statue of Shiva.
This Shiva rises to a height of 123 ft.
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A sculpted chariot and Krishna delivering the ‘essence of the (Bhagvad) Gita.’
The statue park in the complex that is home to the huge Shiva statue and the Krishna-in-chariot also has a few other figures that tell the legend behind Murudeshwar and how the temple came into being here.
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[Read story of Murudeshwar here – The legend]
After looking around and seeing some of these man-made attractions of Murudeshwar, we moved on to see the natural surroundings of this temple complex, which is not without its charms.
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| Even the crowd on the beach seemed to be massive. |
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| There were people and boats and vehicles. Yeah, it is one of those beaches that allow 4 (or more) -wheelers on the beach. |
Later we drove up to the top of the hill (on which the Shiva statue stands) and saw the other side of this piece of land that juts out into the Arabian Sea. A long stretch of beach caught my attention and I was quite surprised to see that this one was pretty deserted.
Linking to the meme–
Other posts from the ‘Discover Karnataka’ Series
- Road tripping across Karnataka
- Oh My! Jog?
- Trying to spot a tiger at Bhadra
- Intriguing trees of the Bhadra wilderness
- Road tripping along the Karnataka Coast
- Karwar – A pleasing picture of Karnataka’s Northwest
- Gokarna – A temple town and beach town rolled into one
- Glimpses of Honnavar and Sharavathi (river)
Beautiful photos, Thanks for sharing
Thank you, Rupam.
My pleasure. 🙂
Wonderful captures, Divya. Love that gopuram.
Thank you, Nomad.
I remember your pictures of it, too. I was wowed by the height of that temple tower; I so badly wanted to see it. Thank you for your inputs before I set out on this trip. 🙂
Just wow, what an absolutely spectacular building
Mollyxxx
Isn't it?!
Thank you for stopping by, Molly. 🙂
Wonderful pics, Divya. Loved your commentary too. You brilliantly captured the temple tower for all views 🙂
Hi again, Ravish.
Thank you so much for the appreciation. 🙂
Beautifully captured! A unique view of the statue too!
Thank you, Magic eye. I chose that picture of the statue for this post mainly to show how teeny weeny we mortals are.
Ah! that statue just might outlive us all; if the winds from the Arabian Sea is not to hard on it, that is.
The massive structures compliment the sea. The temple peak is captured at an interesting angle.
I couldn't help marvelling at that temple tower.
Nice shots
We stand small infront of the statue.
Did you go to the top of the Gopura and saw the views of coastal line on one side and the Shiva statue on the other?
We do.
I didn't get to go to the top of the gopuram; the temple was closed when we were there. Considering my love for views like that, I just might go do that sometime.
Great captures Divya:)
The temple tower looks awesome in all frames:)
Wonderful narration too! Thank you:)
Thank you, Amit.
It was simply wow!
I hear some people say the place doesn't feel very divine because it looks too present-day. I donno about that, to me that looks like an architectural marvel.
Quite an aesthetically appealing place dear… lovely clicks and quite a detailed post 🙂
Yeah, quite a lot art in there, huh! 🙂
Thank you, Maitreni.
Looks quite magnificent, such a beautiful architecture though.
Exactly!
Thank you for visiting, Alok. 🙂
Welcome 🙂
🙂
Great pics – love the opening shot. Somehow, gopurams of temples are the most attractive – I guess they were meant to be that way to remind people to visit?
Thank you. And welcome here.
Attractive — that's actually a great reason for ME to visit. I'm not kidding. 🙂
I so agree with the title… It does seem magnum 🙂 nice clicks as always 🙂 have been to murdeshwar many times…the biggest complaint I have is it does not have a single decent hotel 🙁
Thank you, Shweta.
Oh yeah? That was my first visit and we didn't stay there so I don't know what the hospitality scene is like, over there.
I was upset by the public toilet, which but then again I was there only one time; dunno if it's always like that or just that day.
Those are really interesting pictures of vertigo inducing structures —wonder how they were constructed— and nauseating crowds.
Just the other day, I was wondering how they worked on it. It sure doesn't look like an easy job to put up a tall and sculpted structure without any deformity.
Thank you for stopping by, USP. 🙂
Very well taken pics. The magnitude is overwhelming!
It is, Indrani.
Thank you. 🙂
Lovely click..i have been here thrice but want to visit again 🙂
Little Black Dress
Thank you, Ananya.
That's nice. I'd like to visit again just to go up to the 18th floor and see the sights below. 🙂
such a lovely temple… love the Shiv murti… very nice clicks Dee 🙂
Impressive structure, huh?!
Thank you so much, Archana. 🙂
Wow you went to Murudeeshwar! I am jealous…Its been on my radar for a while now 🙂
I did, Sid and I went there just to see that gopuram. I'm envious of you, coz you went and saw the gopurams of Meenakshi temple. 🙂 Dying to see it!
Thank you for stopping by. 🙂
The temple tower looks awesome and the deserted beach. I am wondering if it doesn't has easy access or what? Loved your pictures! From your writing it looks like it is allowed to climb up the tower? Now that also sounds amazing.
I'm not sure. I was wondering about the access too. That stretch does look inviting, doesn't it?
Thank you, Mridula.
Yeah, you are allowed to go up there — up to the 18 floor, I hear.
Truly Massive !
D, I have this feeling as if I have commented here earlier and my comment is lost somewhere in the mysterious labyrinths of the www 🙁
uh-oh 🙁
Lemme go look into the spam. It's been ages since I did that.