Murudeshwar Temple - Home of the Giant Shiva Statue in Karnataka

Murudeshwar, KarnatakaTEMPLE

A coastal temple famous for its giant 123-feet Shiva statue, a 20-storied Gopura with an elevator, and stunning views of the Arabian Sea.

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Info

TEMPLE

Info

2-3 hours

Accessibility

Not Wheelchair Friendly

Parking

No Parking

Photography

No Photography

About the Destination

Overview

Murudeshwar Temple, located on Kanduka Hill, is famous for its massive 123-feet-tall statue of Lord Shiva, the second tallest in the world. The entire complex is a modern architectural creation that sits dramatically on a peninsula, with the Arabian Sea surrounding it on three sides. The main temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is built in the Dravidian style. A key feature is the 20-storied Raja Gopura, a monumental tower that stands at 237.5 feet. Visitors can take an elevator to the top floor of the Gopura for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Shiva statue, the coastline, and the town of Murudeshwar.

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Location & Address

Murudeshwar Temple Road, Murudeshwar, Kanduka Hill, Murudeshwar, Karnataka, India

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Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit is from October to March when the weather is pleasant and comfortable for sightseeing. The summer months, from April to May, can be very hot and humid. The monsoon season, from June to September, sees heavy rainfall which can disrupt travel plans, though the surroundings are lush and green. The festival of Maha Shivaratri, usually in February or March, is celebrated with great fervor and attracts large crowds.
Peak Crowd: October to January, long weekends, and during Maha Shivaratri festival.
Moderate Crowd: February, March, and September, especially on weekdays.
Low Crowd: April to August, due to the extreme heat of summer and heavy monsoon rains.

How to Reach

Air

The nearest airport is Mangalore International Airport (IXE), located approximately 155 km away. It takes about 3-4 hours to reach Murudeshwar by taxi from the airport.

Train

Murudeshwar Railway Station (MRDW) is on the Konkan railway line and is about 3 km from the temple. It has good connectivity with Mumbai, Mangalore, and Goa. Auto-rickshaws are available at the station.

Road

Murudeshwar is situated on National Highway 66 (NH-66), making it easily accessible by road. KSRTC and private buses run regularly from Bengaluru, Mangalore, Udupi, and Karwar.

Local Transport

Auto-rickshaws are the main mode of local transport for getting around the town. The temple is at a walkable distance from the bus stand and many hotels.