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Murudeshwar Beach - Karnataka

Situated between Honnavar and Bhatkal, 1 km off the National Highway is the scenic holy place of Murudeshwar.

The place is believed to have been sanctified by a piece of the Pranalinga of Mahabaleshwara thrown by Ravana and has some beautiful carvings and statues. Bounded by the shimmering sea and rolling hills, the place is a favourite picnic spot.

WIth the roaring sea to the west, the towering hills to the east and the coconut and areca groves nearby, the temple attracts a lot of devotees and tourists as well.

While touring this land of picture-postcard scenery, be sure to witness some of the quaint rituals like Bhuta worship, the Kambala (buffalo race) or Korikatta the cockfight.

Partake of the delicacies of coastal Karnataka, the mouth - watering sweets, spicy fish curries and a variety of rice calces. Savour the juicy fruits a wide variety of mangoes, jackfruit, cashew and bananas, which abound in this fertile land. And take home memories as colourful and varied as your experiences.

Prime Attractions of Murudeshwar Beach

Murdeshwar Temple : This picturesque place situated 16 kms from Bhatkal has a gorgeous temple perched on a hillock by the shore. Murudeshwar is around 180 km from Mangalore on the National Highway.

On the route along the highway is the alluring Maravanthe Beach with the Arabian Sea roaring on the west and a serene river on the east along this route for almost 2 kilometres. The sea is an intrinsic part of the temple scape at Murudeshwar. The sea surrounds the temple towering on the small hill called Kanduka Giri on three sides.

Two life-size elephants in concrete stand guard at the steps leading to the temple. The Murudeshwar temple has a history that dates back to a few centuries.

Local Belief : The temple, which embodies a linga, is believed to have erupted when Ravana flung the cloth covering the atmatlinga at Gokarana while lifting it. As one ascends the hillock, there is a shrine of Jattiga seated on a horse.

Fort : There is also a huge fort behind the temple said to have been renovated by Tipu sultan, the ruler of Mysore.