Murudeshwar Temple is the most popular tourist place to visit in Murudeshwar, a small coastal town in Karnataka. If the name of this Temple is unfamiliar to you, you must have at least heard about the towering Lord Shiva statue gracing Murudeshwar! Drawing hundreds of visitors yearly, the Murudeshwar Temple is an excellent place to gain divine blessings and forget your worries surrounded by nature.

If you want to visit this magnificent Temple, you must know a few Murudeshwar tourism details to ensure you have the most spiritual experience without being turned away. Let’s go on a virtual tour of the Murudeshwar Temple and discover why this Temple makes Karnataka tourism flourish!

What to Expect at Murudeshwar Temple?

Murudeshwar is an ancient temple, even though it looks brand new! The Temple is also popularly called Kethappa Narayan and is one of the most important temples in India, housing the Atma Linga. Its structure is not only beautiful, as each part has delicate carvings, but it also connects to a spiritual tale. Right behind the Temple is the sparkling Murudeshwar Beach, one of the popular tourist places to visit in Murudeshwara, which helps the Temple stand out with a serene background view. Let’s discover the things you can expect to see at the Murudeshwar Temple before you hop on cheap flights to Murudeshwar:

The Shiva Statue

The first thing you’ll see when spotting the Murudeshwar Temple from a distance is the towering statue of Lord Shiva, with a height of 123 feet. It stands atop the Kanduka Hill and took two years to construct by Shivamogga Kashinath and many other hands. R.N. Shetty, a businessman and philanthropist, sponsored the 50 million required for its construction.

It’s considered the second tallest Shiva statue worldwide, after the Statue of Belief in Rajasthan. The Shiva Statue at Murudeshwar symbolizes enlightenment and peace, perfectly describing the feeling you can find when visiting this quaint town with all-inclusive Murudeshwar tour packages.

Raja Gopura

As the Murudeshwar Temple photos declare, you can see an ancient 20-storey tall structure right beside the Shiva statue, which is 249 feet tall. This is the majestic Raja Gopura, with an elevated view of the giant-sized statue. Visitors can conveniently get to the 18th floor by elevator by paying a small fee of Rs. 10. On the 18th floor is a small window offering perfect views of the statue, but you might have to wait a while in case of overcrowding.

The Gopuram is carefully decorated with hundreds of carvings of Gods and Goddesses on its facade. You can admire the best view of these carvings in the daytime since the sun’s rays highlight every crevice of the structure.

Bhukailash Museum

Most visitors overlook this spectacular Museum, housed in a cave at the base of the Shiva statue at Murudeshwar Temple, but it’s one of the best things to do in Murudeshwar! The cave houses beautiful landscape paintings, with sculptures at the forefront telling the story of the Aatma Linga. The display tells the mythological story behind the Temple’s creation. You can learn more about the story by scrolling to the end of the article! Some statues you must see at the Bhukailash Museum include the Statue of Ravana, having many hands and heads, and the statue of Mahakali. Entry to the Museum will cost you Rs. 10, and the proceeds go towards the free meal services.

Want to explore the top rates activities in Murudeshwar? Read: Places to Visit in Murudeshwar 2025: A Perfect Religion & Nature Combo

Murudeshwar Temple Timings

The Temple is open on all days of the week, from 6 am to 1 pm in the morning and 3 pm to 8:15 pm in the evening. The Darshan timings at the Temple are from 6:30 in the morning to 12:30 pm and from 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Other pooja timings are:

Afternoon Pooja: 12:15 pm to 1 pm

Evening Pooja:  7:15 pm to 8:15 pm

You can also attend the special Abhisheka ritual, including bathing the deity in milk, between 6 am and 7:30 am and 7 pm to 9 pm. Please note that the timings might change during the festive season. Visitors can also enjoy the Anna Prasada, a free meal, at the Temple between 12 pm to 2 pm for lunch and 7 in the evening to 9 pm for dinner. You can enter the Temple and capture photographs with a mobile phone for free. However, if you carry a digital camera, you’ll be expected to pay a certain amount.

Visitors looking to organize a special pooja can book in advance online. The cost for one Rudrabhisgekam pooja is Rs. 55 for two people, organized between 3 pm and 7 pm. All visitors must carry the required items for this pooja. You must visit during the winter season, between October and February, to enjoy the pleasant weather conditions since it is the best time to visit Murudeshwar.

Murudeshwar Temple Dress Code

Since the Temple is a sacred space, all visitors must ensure they’re dressed modestly as per the traditional dress code when visiting with Murudeshwar trip packages or by themselves.

Men: Only Dhotis allowed. It cannot be substituted with pants or jeans. Most visitors drape a shawl on the upper body.

Women: Only churidars with dupattas, sarees, salwar kameez, and half sarees are allowed. The Indian clothing must cover your legs and shoulders.

Visitors cannot enter Murudeshwar Temple with footwear on. Shoes, sandals, slip-ons, etc, must be left outside as a mark of respect. You’ll find designated spaces to leave your footwear behind before you enter the Temple.

How to Reach Murudeshwar Temple

Murudeshwar Temple is along the Konkan coast at the Arabian Sea in Murudeshwar in the Uttara Kannada District, Karnataka. It’s sandwiched between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. Here are Murudeshwar Temple directions to help you get to the attraction by rail, road, or air:

Air: The closest is Mangalore International Airport, and you can get there within 3 or 4 hours, depending on the road traffic.

Rail: The Murudeshwar Railway station is within a 10-minute drive from the Temple. You can get here by rail from Mumbai, Kochi, and Bangalore.

Road: Murudeshwar falls on NH 17, so you can drive here from anywhere if you book car rental services. Visitors can also travel the road by connecting buses.

To know more about Murudeshwar Temple distance and how to reach it, read: Travel to Murudeshwar: How to Reach by Flight, Rail, Bus, Car.

Places to Stay in Murudeshwar Near the Temple

Staying at the Temple is not an option, so here are a few of the best cheap hotels in Murudeshwar you can book accommodation in for the duration of your stay in:

Benzy Palace & Resort: Enjoy the most holistic experience with relaxing spa treatments, luxurious rooms, finger-licking local meals, a swimming pool, and captivating views, the resort should be at the top of your accommodation list. It’s within walking distance from the beach and offers a breathtaking view of the Temple. Click here for the best deals on Benzy Palace & Resort, Murudeshwar. You can also host your wedding at this resort!

RNS Residency: At a 750 m distance from the Temple, this hotel is a preferred destination for a relaxing vacation. You can enjoy spa treatments and access elegant rooms and many other facilities.

Sai Vishram Beach Resort: One of the great veg resorts is Sai Vishram, with other facilities guaranteeing a comfortable stay.

Murudeshwar Temple History

The history of the Murudeshwar Temple is from a legendary story that many Hindu texts mention, which led to the construction of the sacred space in the 16th century. It was constructed by Tuluva King, a local chieftain. As the years went by, kings from the Vijayanagara Empire, Wadir dynasty, and Keladi Nayaks took care of its renovations.

As per the Murudeshwar travel guide, the mythical story that led to its construction focuses on the tale of Ravana, who received the Atmalinga, which would make him invincible, from Shiva as a reward for his devotion. The Gods were worried about its misuse, so Lord Vishnu appeared to him disguised as a Brahmin and offered to hold the Atmalinga while he prayed. Lord Vishnu placed the Atmalinga on the ground, leading to the creation of a new one. When Ravan realized he had been tricked, he tried to pry out the Atmalinga from the ground. This angered Lord Vishu, who broke the lingam and scattered it around the world. It is believed that the real Atmalinga stands at the Murudeshwar Temple, so visitors flock here to get all their wishes fulfilled.

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FAQs- Murudeshwar Temple

What is special about Murudeshwar temple?
The towering Lord Shiva statue, 123 feet tall, is the most special part of the Murudeshwar Temple.

Is it a good time to visit Murudeshwar?
The best time to visit Murudeshwar falls in the winter season between October and February.

Which is the nearest railway station to Murudeshwar temple?
Murudeshwar Railway station is the nearest to Murudeshwar Temple, a 6-minute drive away.

What is the dress code for Murudeshwar?
Visitors must wear traditional Indian clothes to get into Murudeshwar Temple. This includes Dhotis for men and sarees, churidars, or salwar kameez for women pilgrims.

Where are the 5 atma lingas?
The five Atma Lingas are in different temples, including Murudeshwar, Dhareshwar, Sajjeshwar, Mahabaleshwara, and Gunavanteshwar temples.

Is food served in Murudeshwar Temple?
Yes, food is served at Murudeshwar Temple.

How to plan a Murudeshwar trip?
You can begin by exploring the majestic Murudeshwar Temple and taking a break at the Benzy Palace & Resort before exploring the beach and enjoying the water activities.

Which city is closest to Murudeshwar Temple?
Mangalore is closest to Murudeshwar Temple.

What is famous in Murudeshwar to buy?
Murudeshwar is known for its handmade décor, jewellery, statues, and textiles that you must buy when visiting.

Is Murudeshwar a hill station?
No, Murudeshwar is not a hill station but a coastal town.

Is Gokarna and Murudeshwar same?
No, Gokarna and Murudeshwar are not the same. They are both located in Karnataka and are a drive away from each other.

How many kilometers from Mangalore to Murudeshwar?
The distance from Mangalore to Murudeshwar is 156 km.

How much time it takes to see Murudeshwar Temple?
You must spare 2 to 3 hours to see Murudeshwar Temple.